Apex is proud to offer not only all-ceramic restorations, but also traditional standards, such as porcelain-fused-to-metal. These crowns are crafted by fusing a layer of porcelain to an underlying layer of high-quality metal alloys. Apex provides a variety of alloy options for our PFM restorations, including non-precious, semiprecious, high noble, high noble yellow, and high noble white. Our technicians carefully layer the porcelain on each restoration to ensure there are no esthetic complications that can occur with PFMs that are not carefully crafted. We also utilize the latest CAD/CAM technology to ensure this traditional solution still provides a high standard of precision.
Our PFMs can be used for crowns and bridges (up to fourteen units). PFMs can be manufactured to nonprecious, semiprecious, and yellow high noble copings and can be used in conjunction with cast partials and implants.
Contraindicated when the patient has a metal allergy or when the size of the tooth pulp is negligibly smaller, thus compromising the tooth preparation process. It is also contraindicated when the clinical tooth crown is very short and lacks the required stability including retention that is enough to provide the space for porcelain and metal.
The ideal preparation for PFMs is a chamfer margin preparation. If a porcelain labial margin is prescribed, then a shoulder margin preparation is required.
If an adjustment is required on the ceramic, use a fine diamond with water and air to keep the crown cool. To contour the ceramic, polish with a pink rubber wheel and diamond polishing paste (Brasseler, Shofu, Vident).
