What are metal-ceramic crowns?

The crown consists of a metal framework made from a cobalt-chromium alloy, with a ceramic coating covering the entire surface except for the cervical area (the part of the crown that will be hidden under the gum). These crowns are rarely used today, since the exposed metal often causes darkening of the gum in that area, provokes gum recession and can trigger allergic reactions to the metal alloy.

These are the same classic metal-ceramic crowns, but here the ceramic coating covers the metal framework completely, including the cervical area. Because the metal base no longer contacts the gum, this delivers a noticeably better aesthetic result (the gum does not darken) and prevents gum recession. In other words, this is an improved version of the dental crown.

These are crowns whose framework is made from gold, and more rarely from platinum. Such crowns were in demand for a time because they were considered fully biocompatible, unlike cobalt-chromium, nickel-chromium or palladium-based alloys. However, cases of allergic reactions to gold are now encountered more and more often. A crown with a gold framework yellows over time, and its price is close to that of an all-ceramic crown, so today these crowns are no longer in demand.