Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns

Porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns are somewhat of a hybrid between metal crowns and porcelain crowns. Dental crowns made of porcelain fused to metal are stronger than all-ceramic versions and more aesthetically pleasing than those made of metal. When they are made the dental technician first makes a shell of metal that fits over the tooth. A veneering of porcelain is then fused over this metal giving the crown a white tooth-like appearance. Porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns can be a good choice for either front or back teeth.

These dental crowns can be color matched to your adjacent teeth (unlike the metallic crowns). However, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are not as discreet as all-ceramic crowns. While the cosmetic appearance of these crowns can be excellent, they lack the reflective quality of natural teeth. The metal that lies underneath a crown's porcelain layer can sometimes be visualized as a dark line found right at the crown's edge. A dentist will usually try to position this dark edge just underneath the tooth's gum line but if a person's gums recede this dark line can show, thus spoiling the crown's appearance. 
They are strong enough to withstand heavy biting pressures. 
The crown's porcelain can chip or break off.