There are several reasons not to use dental restorations made of metal. Possible disadvantages of metal are for instance the potential allergenicity (type IV allergy) and weight, density, as well as the long processing time. Furthermore, the colour of metals differs visibly from gingiva and teeth. Metal has in fact a great strength, but it is, however, much harder than the natural tooth. Metals are very good thermal conductors and isolate from temperature much worse than teeth. Every patient with deep fillings or cast gold inlays probably knows about these properties...
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