Porcelain Teeth on RPD Frameworks
Posted on 02/29/2012
Porcelain teeth, while far less common than acrylic, exhibit certain properties that make them an ideal choice for patients with a collapsed bite or high esthetic requirements. These properties include:
1. Porcelain does not wear over time allowing it to maintain the vertical dimension (patient's natural bite)
2. Porcelain does not discolor
3. Porcelain teeth often exhibit greater translucency and are often more aesthetic than acrylic teeth
While the above mentioned properties are all advantages, there are some important disadvantages that should be considered before requesting porcelain teeth:
Disadvantages:
1. Porcelain teeth rely on mechanical retention to attach to the acrylic denture base. This mechanical retention is created through diatoric holes or pins in the teeth which allow for acrylic to fill the space or grab the pins and support the teeth.
2. Porcelain teeth are abrasive if the glaze is removed and will wear down natural enamel.
3. A black line often appears over time at the junction between the porcelain teeth and the acrylic due to a build up of bacteria and the acidity of saliva.
4. Price of porcelain teeth can be prohibitive
5. Repair of porcelain teeth is difficult.
Some of the leading manufacturers of porcelain teeth include Vident*, Dentsply* and Ivoclar Vivadent*. Doctors and patients are recommended to consult with the lab tech to see if the case indicates porcelain teeth and which brand is appropriate.
*Vident, Denstply and Ivoclar Vivadent are trademarks of their respective companies.
1. Porcelain does not wear over time allowing it to maintain the vertical dimension (patient's natural bite)
2. Porcelain does not discolor
3. Porcelain teeth often exhibit greater translucency and are often more aesthetic than acrylic teeth
While the above mentioned properties are all advantages, there are some important disadvantages that should be considered before requesting porcelain teeth:
Disadvantages:
1. Porcelain teeth rely on mechanical retention to attach to the acrylic denture base. This mechanical retention is created through diatoric holes or pins in the teeth which allow for acrylic to fill the space or grab the pins and support the teeth.
2. Porcelain teeth are abrasive if the glaze is removed and will wear down natural enamel.
3. A black line often appears over time at the junction between the porcelain teeth and the acrylic due to a build up of bacteria and the acidity of saliva.
4. Price of porcelain teeth can be prohibitive
5. Repair of porcelain teeth is difficult.
Some of the leading manufacturers of porcelain teeth include Vident*, Dentsply* and Ivoclar Vivadent*. Doctors and patients are recommended to consult with the lab tech to see if the case indicates porcelain teeth and which brand is appropriate.
*Vident, Denstply and Ivoclar Vivadent are trademarks of their respective companies.
