Office Location: 540 East Main Street, Lexington, KY 40508
New patients: 855-610-7695 | Existing patients: 859-252-0314
Williams Family Dentistry
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet Dr. Williams
    • Meet Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Request an Appointment
    • What Can I Expect My First Visit?
    • Patient Forms
    • Financial Policies
    • Map to Our Office
  • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Porcelain Crowns
    • Porcelain Veneers
    • Teeth Whitening
  • Tooth Replacement
    • Dental Implants
    • Dentures
    • Implant Overdentures
  • Other Services
    • Pediatric Dentist
    • Emergency Dentist
    • Sedation Dentist
    • Wisdom Teeth
    • Mercury-Free Dentist
    • Metal-Free Dentist
    • Sleep Apnea
Our Reviews
  • Facebook
  • Google

All-Ceramic Versus Porcelain Fused to Metal

Posted on November 18, 2021 by writeradmin.

I need a dental crown on tooth number four. My dentist wants me to get an all ceramic one,  think zirconia. But, those cost more money (shocker). I just want to get the porcelain fused to metal one because I don’t see any cosmetic/esthetic value in putting the other on tooth number 4. Maybe a front tooth, but not number 4. Why spend the extra money?

Grady

Dear Grady,

before and after all porcelain crowns

 

There are two things you need to be aware of when it comes to porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. First, is they need to be made more opaque in order to cover the metal base. This tends to give them a dense chalky look. The second thing to be aware of is they will all eventually develop a black line at the gumline. Many consider this to be unsightly and a bit distracting. All-porcelain crowns do not have this problem. Neither do all ceramic crowns. One benefit of zirconia crowns is not only are they all ceramic, but they also are strong enough to use on back teeth.

Tooth number four is still in what dentists consider the smile zone. That means it is visible when you smile. Because of that, I disagree with the idea that there is no cosmetic benefit to using an all-porcelain crown. That being said, it is your smile, your money, and your choice. Your dentist is obligated to advise you on every option available to you, but he should be willing to allow you to make the final choice. Not all dentists will, however. Because your smile reflects on their business, there may be dentists who will only do procedures that will leave you with a beautiful smile.

If you really want the metal based crown, you can get it, but you may have to see a different dentist to do the work.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

Filed Under: Zirconia Crowns Tagged With: all-porcelain crowns, dark gray line at gumline, porcelain fused to metal crowns

Recent Posts

  • I Can Smell My Husband’s Dental Implant
  • Sister Says I Need to Remove the Rest of My Wisdom Teeth
  • Burning Mouth Syndrome or Zirconia Allergy
  • Tooth Infected and No Money
  • Can I Have a Pretty Smile After Twenty-Seven Years in Dentures
Do you have a question for a dentist? Get a personal answer.
Ask a Dentist

Archives

  • June 2025
  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018

Categories

  • 8
  • Affordable Dentist
  • Best Kentucky Dentists
  • Cosmetic Dentistry
  • Dental Implants
  • Dentures
  • Emergency Dentist
  • Holistic Dentist
  • Lexington Dentist
  • metal-free dentist
  • Pediatric Dentist
  • Porcelain Veneers
  • Sedation Dentist
  • Teeth Whitening
  • Wisdom Teeth
  • Zirconia Crowns
  • Zirconia Dental Implants
  • Zirconia Dental Implants
Request
an Appointment
Please fill out short form. When we receive your information, one of our staff members will contact you to set up a specific appointment.
540 East Main Street
Lexington, KY 40508
New Patients: 855-610-7695
Existing Patients: 859-252-0314
Office Hours:
Mon - Thur: 8am – 5pm
Every Other Friday: 8am – 5pm
Williams Family Dentistry
  • Lexington KY Affordable Dentist
  • Privacy Policy
  • Blog

© 2025 Kentucky Dental Group • All rights reserved Privacy Policy
Website Design and SEO by Infinity Dental Web IDW Copyright Logo

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet Dr. Williams
    • Meet Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Request an Appointment
    • What Can I Expect My First Visit?
    • Patient Forms
    • Financial Policies
    • Map to Our Office
  • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Porcelain Crowns
    • Porcelain Veneers
    • Teeth Whitening
  • Tooth Replacement
    • Dental Implants
    • Dentures
    • Implant Overdentures
  • Other Services
    • Pediatric Dentist
    • Emergency Dentist
    • Sedation Dentist
    • Wisdom Teeth
    • Mercury-Free Dentist
    • Metal-Free Dentist
    • Sleep Apnea
  • New Patients Click to Call
    (855) 610-7695
  •  
  • Existing Patients Click to Call
    (859) 252-0314