Lec.

Dr.Nibras AL-Quraine

METAL- CERAM IC RESTORATIONS

The metal-ceramic restoration consists of a metal substructure supporting a
ceramic veneer that is mechanically and chemically bonded to it.
The chemical component of the bond is achieved through firing. Porcelain
powder of varying composition and color are applied and fired to produce
the desired appearance.

Nature of bond between the metal and ceramic:

1-mechanical bond
By interlocking the ceramic with micro-abrasions in the surface of metal
coping, which is produced by finishing the metal with non contaminating
stone or disc and air abrasion.
Air abrasion appears to enhance wettability, provide mechanical
interlocking, and increase the surface area for chemical bonding.
2-Compressive forces ( physical bonding)
This bond is developed by a properly designed and a slightly higher
coefficient of thermal expansion for the metal coping than for porcelain
veneered over it. This will cause porcelain to "draw" toward the metal
coping when the restoration cools after firing.
Thermal contraction of the porcelain will be resisted by the metal and
compressive stresses will be set up in the porcelain, so the porcelain will be
firmly bonded to the metal. It has been reported that by reducing porcelain
ceramic surface defects at the porcelain-metal interface, the strength of
porcelain could be increased and this will possibly place the external surface
of porcelain in a compression.
3-Vander Waal's forces (physical bond ing)
Is an affinity based on a mutual attraction of charged molecules.
Although they contributed to bonding, they are minor forces that are not
significant as was once thought, but these forces were considered significant
in the initiation of the chemical bond.

4-Chemical bonding
Metal and porcelain react chemically in an oxidizing atmosphere at
approximately 1000C to bond together. It is indicated by the formation of an
oxide layer on the metal.
It is the ability of the fused porcelain to absorb from the metal that
produces a chemical bond between a metal and porcelain. The alloy must
contain at least one component that will be soluble in the fused porcelain
without losing it's contact with the basic chemical structure of the metal.

Metal Preparation
The mechanical properties of a metal-ceramic restoration depend largely
on the design of the substructure that supports the ceramic veneer:
- The metal-ceramic interface must be at least 1.5 mm from all centric
occlusal contacts and must be distinct to facilitate the removal of
excess porcelain.
- Sharp angles or pits on the veneering surface of a metal-ceramic
restoration should be avoided because they can contribute to internal
stress in the final porcelain.
- Convex surfaces and rounded contours should be created so that the
porcelain is supported without development of stress concentrations
- A smooth surface facilitates wetting of the framework by the porcelain
slurry.
- The intended metal-ceramic junction should be as definite (90-degree
angle) and as smooth as possible to make finishing easier during all
fabrication stages.
- The metal framework must be sufficiently thick to prevent distortion
during firing.
( A minimum of 0.3 mm is advocated for the noble metal alloys; 0.2
mm is sufficient for base metal alloys, which can be finished thinner
and still withstand distortion because of their higher fusing ranges,
moduli of elasticity, and yield strengths.

Materials science
Dental ceramics are generally classified into three groups according to
their maturation or fusing range:
-

High fusing( 1290 to 1370 C{ 2350 to 2500 F })

Medium-fusing ( 1100 to 1260 C {2000 to 2300 F})
Low-fusing ( 870 to 1070 C{1600 to 1950 F})
Ultra-low fusing porcelain ( less 870 C)
In contrast to denture teeth and the original porcelain jacket crowns,
which are fired in the medium-and high-fusing ranges, metal-ceramic
veneer restoration are fired in the range of 950 to 1020 C (1750 to 1860
F ).

Types of Porcelain:
Porcelain is built in three layers-Opaque porcelain:
This is applied as a first ceramic coat and performs two major
functions:
1- it masks the color of the alloy.
2- it is responsible for the metal-ceramic bond.
Opacifying oxides are added to the original porcelain blend. When a
specific range of oxide particle sizes is used, most of incident light is
scattered and reflected rather than transmitted through the porcelain,
effectively masking the color of the alloy substrate.
Body porcelain:( dentin layer)
Body porcelain is fired onto the opaque layer, usually in conjunction with
the incisal porcelain. It provide some translucency and contains metallic
oxides that aid in shade matching. Body porcelains are available in a wide
selection of shades to match adjacent natural teeth .there is significant color
variation among manufacturers and a dentist should know which system the
technician uses.

Incisal porcelain:
Incisal porcelain is usually translucent. As a result, the perceived color of
the restoration is significantly influenced by the color of the underlying body
porcelain.

the powder is mixed with water and a binder ( the binder helps to hold the
particles together) and applied to the die either by spatulation , brush
application, whipping or vibrating. The objective of these techniques are to
remove as much water as possible resulting in a more arrangement with a
high density of particles which minimize the firing shrinkage.
This thermal contraction of porcelain will be resisted by the metal and a
compressive stress will be set up in the porcelain and will be firmly bonded
to the metal.

Properties of metal alloys used with porcelain restoration:

1-High melting temperature:
Melting range of alloy should be higher than the firing temperature
of porcelain to avoid slumping ( sagging) of metal during firing and
fusion of porcelain to it. Alloys of high percent of gold are not used with
porcelain ( gold melt at 700 C approximately.
Platinum and palladium are added to gold alloy to increase both the
melting range and strength of alloy with decreasing the percentage of gold
content. These are precious melting range ( 1093 C).
Alloys without gold ( Ag- Pd, Cu-Pd ) non-precious alloys base metal
alloy like NI-Cr, are used for expansion gold content. They are difficult to
burnished and cause discoloration of porcelain.
2-Alloys should have coefficient of thermal expansion greater than
porcelain:
Porcelain influence contracts about 10% and this contraction is prevented
by alloy expansion otherwise the porcelain alloy influence could undergo
tensile stresses .
3-High modulus of elasticity:
Alloy should have high elastic modulus and proportional limit so that no
plastic deformity could occur under masticatory forces to prevent porcelain
fracture.
4-Oxide layer formation:
Alloys should be able to produce a suitable oxide layer on it's surface to
allow fusion with porcelain during it's firing.
Causes of failure of porcelain:
1-In adequate thickness of metal:
A Noble metal thickness should be at least 0.3-0.5 mm, a base metal
thickness may be as thin as 0.2 mm.

2-the use of inappropriate alloy/porcelain combination:

The melting range of alloy used in coping must be 170-280 C higher than
the fusing temperature of [porcelain applied on it. A similar melting range
result in distortion or melting of the coping during firing and glazing of
porcelain.
3-poor frame work design :
Sharp edges, excessively thick area of porcelain will crack due to
inadequate support. The desirable thickness of porcelain is 1 mm.
4-surface irregularities of coping metal will cause incomplete wetting by
porcelain slurry, leading to voids at porcelain/ metal interface that reduce
bond.
5-presence of porosity in ceramics during ceramic application.
6-in adequate relation between metal and veneer.
7-trauma from para functional occlusion.

Disadvantages of porcelain
1-Brittleness :
Porcelain is hard but brittle , has weak tensile strength when it is used
without metal.
2-Marginal imperfactance:
Porcelain cannot be burnished, easy to be cracked or chipped especially
when porcelain is thin ( such as at cervical areas)

Glazing and surface characterization

Metal-ceramic restorations are glazed to create a shiny surface similar
to that of natural teeth. The glazing cycle can be performed concurrently
with any necessary surface characterization.
Autoglazing:
The contoured is raised to its fusion temperature and maintained for a
time before cooling.
A pyroplastic surface flow occurs, and a vitreous layer or surface glaze is
formed. Sharp angles and edges are rounded slightly during this process.
Consequently, occlusal contact in porcelain is altered slightly during glazing.
Overglazing:
A separate mix of powder and liquid is applied to the surface of a shaped
restoration, and the restoration is subsequently fired. The firing procedure is
similar to that for autoglazing, although there are variations among brands.
Because most metal-ceramic restorations include low-fusing porcelain,
overglazing is not currently in widespread use.

Porcelain labial margins

Many patients object to the grayness at the margin associated with metalceramic restorations. However, hiding the margin subgingivally may not be
possible. If esthetics is of prime importance, a collarless metal-ceramic
crown should be considered.
Collarless crowns have a facial margin of porcelain and lingual and
proximal margins of metal.

Advantages
Collarless crowns have advantages over the conventional metal-ceramic
restoration:
1- esthetic.
2- Plaque removal is easier when gingival tissues are in contact with
vacuum-fired glazed porcelain than with highly polished gold.

Disadvantages:
1-difficulties during fabrication, limit its application.
2-more time consuming.
3-fracture of the unsupported margin is a problem during evaluation or
cementation, because of careless handling not during function( is rarely a
problem) because the labial margin is not subjected to high tensile
stresses.

Indications
1- it indicated when a conventional metal-ceramic restoration will not
create the desired esthetic result.

Contraindications
1- when an extremely smooth, 1mm wide shoulder cannot be prepared in
the area of the ceramic veneer.
2- Multiple porcelain margins may be used in one fixed prosthesis
without sacrificing marginal adaptation.