
doi: 10.5772/48354
Finding a material capable of fulfilling all the requirements needed for replacing lost tooth structure is a true challenge for man. Many such restorative materials have been explored through the years, but the ideal substitute has not yet been identified. What we use today for different restorations are different metals, polymers and ceramics as well as combinations of these materials. Many of these materials work well even though they are not perfect. For example, by coating and glazing a metal crown shell with a ceramic, it is possible to make a strong and aesthetic appealing crown restoration. This type of crown restoration is called a porcelain-fused-to-metal restoration, and if such crowns are properly designed, they can also be soldered together into so called dental bridges. The potential problem with these crowns is that the ceramic coating may chip with time, which could require a complete remake of the entire restoration. Another popular restorative material consists of a mixture of ceramic particles and curable monomers forming a so called dental composite resin. These composites resins can be bonded to cavity walls and produce aesthetic appealing restorations. A potential problem with these restorations is that they shrink during curing and sometimes debond and fracture. In addition to porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns and composites, allceramic and metallic restorations as well as polymer based dentures are also commonly used. These constructions have their inherent limitations too.
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