PORCELAIN CROWNS (Metal ceramic) Teeth which have more extensive loss of tooth structure due to decay or wear may require more extensive technique than the use of porcelain veneers. This usually involves the use of a crown which encompasses the entire tooth and supports the remaining tooth structure. The crown may be made of a number of materials including: gold alloy, a metal-ceramic combination where porcelain is fused to a gold alloy substructure (illustrated above) or an all ceramic material (illustrated on the following page). These metal ceramic restorations are very strong in that the metal substructure reinforces the overlying porcelain material so that the restorations look and feel like natural teeth. These restorations may be used in any area of the mouth but is especially useful in areas where the highest forces during chewing occur. The are also used when several teeth are connected in the restoration such as when a fixed bridge is required.