Patients' perceptions of esthetics and technical quality in crowns and fixed partial dentures

To assess patients' perceptions of different types of fixed anterior restorations, their responses to (1) metal-ceramic versus all-ceramic restorations; (2) National Health Service versus private-contract metal-ceramic restorations; and (3) normal versus overbuilt metal-ceramic restorations were compared. More people thought the all-ceramic crowns were more natural and preferred those restorations. More people thought the metal-ceramic fixed partial dentures were more natural, and those were also preferred. For both crowns and fixed partial dentures, respondents thought the private work was more natural looking, but the National Health Service work was preferred for the crowns. Respondents thought the crowns and fixed prostheses with normal margins were of a higher technical standard, and those restorations were preferred. The shade and color of the restorations were the most important factors in the patients' assessments.