Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal and All-Ceramic Crowns for Posterior Teeth: Material science and Laboratory Procedures

QDT 2013 Over the last decade, laboratory procedures have changed dramatically due to the introduction of computer-aided design/computerassisted manufacture (CAD/CAM) technology. This evo lu tion began with the use of zirconia as a base material for dental restorations. Recently, the use of CAD/CAM-fabricated full-contour zirconia (FCZ) crowns for posterior teeth has become a popular restoration option among large commercial laboratories. In contrast, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), pressed lithium disilicate (LD), and porcelain-fused-to-zirconia (PFZ) crowns remain popular among smaller laboratories. This article compares these four restoration types based on their material science and laboratory procedures.