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A patient is in the office for a dental examination and has expressed concern over his gold crown on tooth #28. Although the tooth is not causing any problems for the patient, he has said that he does not like the way it looks when he smiles. He had the gold crown placed many years ago and didn’t realize at the time how much it would affect his appearance. What type of fixed prosthesis could the dental assistant recommend to the patient for the replacement of the gold crown on tooth #28?

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For replacing the gold crown on tooth #28, which is a maxillary left first molar, a dental assistant could recommend a porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crown or an all-ceramic crown as an aesthetic option.

  1. Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crown: This type of crown has a metal base for strength and a porcelain layer for a more natural appearance. It is durable and can blend well with the surrounding teeth, making it a popular choice for molars where aesthetics are important but strength is also needed.

  2. All-Ceramic Crown: If the patient is looking for the best aesthetic result, an all-ceramic crown (such as zirconia) can be suggested. These crowns provide excellent esthetics with a more natural appearance, as they do not have a metal substructure and can mimic the translucency of natural teeth.

The choice between these options would depend on the patient's preferences, functional considerations, and the dentist's assessment of the tooth's condition.