Metal Alloy Full Cast Of The Bridge Platinum And Palladium With Restorations
Costs - High noble metal alloys cost more.
The "noble" dental metals are gold, platinum and palladium.
Nowadays these metals are pricey. And the greater the percentage of them found in the composition of an alloy, the greater its cost will be.
- With restorations where the overall amount of metal they contain is relatively small, the price difference between using a high-noble or base-metal alloy might be small.
- But in the case where an all-metal restoration is made for a large molar, the cost difference might be significant enough to affect your decision.
Dental plan and insurance policy limitations.
If some type of dental plan is paying a part of your bill, you might check to see if there are any limitations as to the type of metal that can be used for crowns.
The policy might state that they do not cover the cost of high noble alloys. Or the level of coverage might change based on which type is used.
Color - Dental alloys can be white or yellow.
In those cases where an all-metal crown is being placed, you might have a preference as to whether it should have a yellow (like gold) or silver ("white," white gold) coloration. The alloy's composition determines its color.
Some people have metal allergies.
Studies report that about 10% of the female population and 5% of males have an allergic response to nickel, chrome and/or beryllium. These metals are often found in the composition of nonprecious (base) alloys.
The physical properties of the alloy are an important consideration.
Dentists and dental laboratories often have a set opinion about which types of dental alloys they will consider working with. This is because their goal is getting the job done right, the first time.
They know that any difficulties or problems experienced will just end up costing them money. So, if choosing a certain type of alloy makes getting a positive result more likely, then that's the one they are probably going to want to work with.
The advantages of precious dental alloys.
High noble alloys constitute the "gold standard" of dental metals. All others are compared to them.
Dentists and dental lab technicians generally prefer working with these alloys, especially those that have a high gold content. That's because:
- They are the easiest to cast and polish.
- Restorations made using them are known for their accurate fit on their tooth. But also, this type of alloy is relatively malleable so the fit of the restoration can be adjusted if needed.
- These metals generally offer the most predictable bond with porcelain (an important consideration with porcelain-fused-to-metal restorations). (Uusalo 1987)
- They offer superior corrosion resistance.
