Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns

Porcelain-fused-to-metal is a time-tested option that costs less than metal-free crowns. At VILIDA in Obolon, Kyiv, these crowns are placed by our prosthodontist, who first checks the tooth and the X-ray and then advises whether a PFM crown is the right choice here, or whether zirconia or ceramic would be better. You can see what a crown costs in the price table at the bottom of the page.

• from 8 400 UAH

  PFM crown, cementation included

• 97.1%

  of these crowns last more than five years

• Back teeth

  and bridges, where strength matters

• Metal and porcelain

  framework inside, tooth colour outside

How a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown is built

Under the crown is your own tooth, shaped so that all the layers fit on it. A metal framework made of a dental alloy sits on the tooth: a thin cap that follows the shape of the prepared tooth. To stop the grey metal from showing through, it is covered with a white opaque layer, and tooth-coloured porcelain is then built up on top and shaped into chewing cusps.

The crown is cemented in place and covers the tooth on all sides. It is the metal inside that makes it possible to use porcelain-fused-to-metal not only for single crowns but also for bridges spanning several teeth.

Who a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown is for

Pros and cons of porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns

In terms of reliability, porcelain-fused-to-metal is as good as the alternatives: in a large 2026 systematic review, 97.1% of PFM crowns lasted five years or more, almost the same as zirconia and ceramic crowns. So the choice between them is mainly about appearance and price.

Why the gum darkens around a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown

The most common complaint about PFM crowns is a grey line or a bluish tinge to the gum next to the crown. The cause is the metal: the edge of the framework is tucked under the gum, but with age the gum recedes and the metal becomes visible (number 6 in the diagram). Thin gums can also let the metal show through, giving them a greyish tint.

On back teeth this rarely matters, but in the smile zone it is noticeable. If an old crown on a front tooth has darkened at the gum line, it can be replaced: the prosthodontist will remove it and offer a zirconia crown or E.max ceramic, neither of which contains metal.

How a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown is fitted

1. Diagnosis

   first visit

   The prosthodontist checks the tooth and the X-ray: whether the root is healthy, whether the canals are well filled and whether there is any infection. If needed, the tooth is treated first.

2. Preparing the tooth

   with anaesthetic

   The tooth is reduced on all sides to make room for both the framework and the porcelain. The edge of the preparation is placed near the gum.

3. Impression and shade

   at the same visit

   The prosthodontist takes an impression, with impression material or a scanner, and chooses the porcelain shade together with you to match the neighbouring teeth.

4. Temporary crown

   while the crown is made

   The prepared tooth is not left uncovered: a temporary crown is placed, and you can eat and talk as usual with it.

5. Cementation

   once the crown is ready

   The prosthodontist tries the crown in, checks how it fits the tooth and that it does not interfere with your bite, and then cements it.

The prosthodontist will tell you the exact number of visits after the examination: it depends on whether the tooth needs treatment first and on how many crowns you need.

How long a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown lasts

Large reviews of clinical studies show that most PFM crowns are still working after five years, and many last much longer. What most often shortens their life:

• decay in your own tooth at the edge of the crown, when the spaces between teeth are not cleaned regularly;
• chipping of the porcelain layer, more often in people who clench or grind their teeth;
• gum inflammation around the crown;
• a split root under the crown, if the tooth walls were very thin.

So look after the tooth under the crown as carefully as the others: brush twice a day, use floss or interdental brushes, and have check-ups and professional cleaning as your dentist advises. If you grind your teeth at night, the prosthodontist may suggest a protective night guard.

How much a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown costs

The price in the table is for one PFM crown with cementation, as in the clinic’s price list. Root canal treatment or rebuilding the tooth before the crown, if needed, is charged separately. PFM crowns on implants have their own prices, listed on the Implant-Supported Prosthetics page. Prices for all types of crowns, side by side, are on the Dental Crowns page.

Questions and answers