Palladium-Silver Full Cast Metal Crown 100% Metal Construction
Advantages
1) Superior strength.
Due to their 100% metal construction, there's no type of crown that's stronger than an all-metal one. (That can be said no matter what type of dental alloy has been used to make it.)
Failure due to breaking is an extremely rare event. In comparison, that's a real possibility with an all-ceramic crown. Or in the case of a porcelain-fused-to-metal one (PFM), a significant portion of its porcelain covering may fracture off thus resulting in restoration failure.
2) Superior longevity.
Due to their single-component construction and the great strength and durability characteristics they possess, no other type of dental crown can be expected to provide more lasting service than an all-metal one.
Considerations.
That doesn't mean that other types of crowns can't provide lasting service too. But in terms of predictability (what type of things might go wrong and how often these events occur), an all-metal crown is the safest bet possible.
3) Good biocompatibility.
In terms of how your crown might affect you or your mouth, all-metal crowns generally offer good biocompatibility.
Minimal wear to opposing teeth.
The wear coefficient of dental alloys is typically similar to tooth enamel. That's good because it means that restorations made using them won't cause excessive wear on the teeth they bite against.
The specific metal used may matter. - As rules of thumb, "gold" (high-noble, see below) alloys typically are "kind" to teeth in this manner. Possibly base-metal alloys are comparatively more abrasive to opposing teeth.
Disadvantages
Minimal-visibility applications.
Metal crowns do make a great choice for those teeth that are hard for others to see.
Each individual person's situation will be different but possible candidates might include:
1) lower 2nd and 3rd molars
2) upper third molars
3) possibly some upper second molars
4) possibly some lower first molars.
Upper first molars are typically too prominent in a person's smile to have a shiny metal crown placed on them.
Crowns are expensive items and there are no free do-overs. Make sure to ask your significant other (the person who spends the greatest amount of time looking at you) for their opinion when making this decision.
