Dr. Siny Thomas of Sugar Land offers metal-free dentistry. It wasn’t that long ago that porcelain crowns needed to have a metal foundation to be strong enough to not fracture under the stress of normal chewing. But now there are new high-strength ceramics that eliminate the need for metal, and Dr. Thomas is current with all of this new technology.
Metal Allergies and Sensitivities
Dental crowns and bridges that contain metal can provoke a reaction if you have metal allergies or sensitivities. Nickel, chromium, and beryllium are often present in dental metals and they are common triggers of sensitivity reactions. The metal can cause chronic issues, including inflamed and red gums, itching, burning, and a general feeling of malaise.
Metal-Free Restorations
Not only does metal-free dentistry eliminate the risk of metal sensitivity reactions, but ceramics are the materials that are most like natural tooth structure. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are of necessity opaque and over time will show a dark line at the gumline where some of the metal will show through. These high-strength ceramics, however, are tooth-colored and have a certain amount of translucency to them, just like your teeth. Dr. Thomas uses these ceramics for crowns and bridges, and uses metal-free composite fillings for simple cavities. Porcelain-fused-to-met
Types of All-Ceramic Crowns
e.max
Metal-free ceramic crowns avoid metal sensitivities
The foundation for e.max crowns is lithium disilicate—a high-strength glass-ceramic. Dr. Thomas’s ceramist will mill the core for your crown from a lithium disilicate block. It will match the color of your natural tooth. The ceramist will add lifelike tint and translucency to the restoration by baking a veneer of porcelain over it.
Zirconia
Zirconia crowns and bridges have the translucency of natural teeth. Zirconia is a dental ceramic with exceptional strength. It will give you a healthy, long-lasting smile.
Composite Fillings
Unlike amalgam (“silver”) fillings that contain a mixture of metals, composite fillings are metal free. They are a tooth-colored mixture of resin and glass or silica that binds to and strengthens teeth. Dr. Thomas will choose composite that matches your natural tooth color.
Interested in Metal-Free Dentistry?
Dr. Thomas can provide you with healthy, long-lasting restorations that don’t provoke a reaction. Call us to schedule an appointment for an exam or request an appointment online.