CDA Essentials 2016 • Volume 3 • Issue 8

N ews and E vents 14 | Volume 3 Issue 7 INTHE BOXING RING: Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns versus All-Ceramic Crowns Excellence inmechanical properties, biocompability and low technical complication rates have long been the hallmark of porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns, while a superior esthetic has been in all-ceramic (AC) crowns’ corner. Yet the rising cost of precious metals and the development of novel ceramicmaterials are now challenging the status quo. To better understand that new reality, the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) recently published a Rapid Response Report titled Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns versus All-Ceramic Crowns: A Review of the Clinical and Cost-Effectiveness. 1 The review analyzes and compares the 5-year survival rates of several types of PFM and AC crowns according to their position in the mouth. The overall 5-year survival rate of PFM crowns (95.7% to 97.6%) was found to be slightly higher than that of AC crowns (90.7% to 96.6%).  AC crowns made of newer materials— leucite or lithium disilicate, alumina (densely sintered and glass-infiltrated), densely sintered zirconia —showed survival rates similar to PFM crowns.  The position of the crowns in the mouth did not significantly impact the survival rates of PFM crowns or AC crowns made of alumina (densely sintered and glass-infiltrated) or leucite or lithium disilicate .  Findings were found to be inconsistent with regard to the effect of the position in the mouth of zirconia- based crowns .  Crowns made of feldspathic or silica glass ceramic had a significantly lower survival rate than PFM crowns. Their survival rate was also lower in the posterior region than in the anterior one, and the recommendation was to use them only in anterior regions with low functional load. a Reference 1.Porcelain-Fused-to-MetalCrownsversusAll-Ceramic Crowns:AReviewoftheClinicalandCost-Effectiveness [Internet].Ottawa:CADTH;2016May12[accessed2016 June7].Availableat :https://www.cadth.ca/sites/default/ files/pdf/htis/may-2016/RC0777_Dental%20Crown%20 Update%20Final.pdf Read the full report. cadth.ca Visit