Dental OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) Practice Exam

What type of material is commonly used for making porcelain crowns?

1. Metals

2. Composite resins

3. Glass ceramics

4. Dental amalgam

The correct answer is: Glass ceramics

Porcelain crowns are typically made from glass ceramics, which offer exceptional aesthetics and durability. These materials are chemically engineered to achieve a look that closely resembles natural tooth enamel, providing both translucency and color matching capabilities essential for restorative dentistry. Glass ceramics also possess suitable mechanical properties, making them a strong choice for crowns that need to withstand the forces of chewing. Glass ceramics include several formulations, with feldspathic porcelain being a common example. This type of material can be layered or used in pressed forms, allowing for customized shading and characterization to match the individual patient’s teeth. The ability of glass ceramics to bond well with dental cements also adds to their effectiveness as a crown material. In contrast, metals, composite resins, and dental amalgam serve different purposes in dentistry. Metals, while strong and often used for other types of restorations, do not provide the desired aesthetics for visible areas. Composite resins are more commonly utilized for fillings and aesthetic repairs rather than as standalone materials for crowns. Dental amalgam is typically used for posterior fillings due to its strength but lacks the aesthetic appeal required for crowns. Thus, glass ceramics stand out as the preferred choice for porcelain crowns in terms of both aesthetic and functional properties.