Metal Backings or Metal Occlusals
Posted on 03/07/2012
While teeth attached to the acrylic denture base are the ideal design for flexibility of the RPD framework - including customizing teeth shape, size and position, and future relines - there are certain situations that make them difficult to use. Specifically, when a patient is a bruxer (i.e. grinds his/her teeth), the patient will often grind down the acrylic teeth quickly causing the need for replacement teeth. Porcelain teeth, while more durable, are also more abrasive and can risk injuring the opposing teeth.
In such a case, designing metal teeth into the framework itself - in the anteriors as metal backings and in the posterior as metal occlusals - is often the best design. Metal teeth are less abrasive than porcelain and retain their shape and size indefinitely. To improve the esthetics of metal teeth, the lab or doctor can place acrylic or composite facings on the facial side of the metal tooth to mask the metal. When a patient opens their mouth, though, metal will show on the posteriors. This is an important consideration especially for mandibular RPD frameworks.
The following picture shows a mandibular framework with metal occlusals.
In such a case, designing metal teeth into the framework itself - in the anteriors as metal backings and in the posterior as metal occlusals - is often the best design. Metal teeth are less abrasive than porcelain and retain their shape and size indefinitely. To improve the esthetics of metal teeth, the lab or doctor can place acrylic or composite facings on the facial side of the metal tooth to mask the metal. When a patient opens their mouth, though, metal will show on the posteriors. This is an important consideration especially for mandibular RPD frameworks.
The following picture shows a mandibular framework with metal occlusals.
