What is a disadvantage of complete cast crowns compared to other restorative options?

A complete cast crown often represents a more extensive and invasive procedure compared to partial coverage crowns, which typically preserve more of the natural tooth structure. This means that in achieving full coverage with a complete cast crown, more of the tooth needs to be reduced or tooth structure removed. Such a characteristic makes complete cast crowns less conservative.

While the complete cast crown does offer benefits like greater resistance and strength when compared to more conservative options, the trade-off is that it sacrifices more of the natural tooth, thus making it a less desirable choice when preservation of tooth structure is a priority. The ability to modify tooth contours and achieve optimal aesthetics or functionality may be seen in both complete and partial crowns, but the key distinguishing factor is the conservation of natural dental tissue, which is more favored in partial coverage restorations.