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How do you seat and cement a PFM restoration?

Seating a PFM is straightforward because the restoration is compatible with conventional cementation, but disciplined cement control is what separates a clean, durable result from one prone to gingival problems and recurrent decay.

Preparing the restoration and seating

Clean the inside of the crown with a cleaning solution before delivery. Apply cement along the internal walls and do not overfill, keeping the film thin and away from the margins. Seat the crown under firm finger pressure, have the patient bite down, and stabilize it (for example with a wood stick across the occlusion) while the cement sets. For non-retentive or limited-clearance preparations, ROE notes that light aluminous oxide abrasion at 20–40 lbs may be used to improve retention.

Why cement volume control is critical

Excess cement is one of the most common and most damaging delivery errors. Studies cited by ROE indicate clinicians routinely use about 20 times more cement than needed, with roughly 95% extruding beyond the margins. Excess subgingival cement drives gingival inflammation, bleeding, and bone loss, and it obscures the margin during cleanup. Apply only a thin film: enough for retention, not enough to extrude.

Clinical rule of thumb: A thin film of cement inside the crown, deliberately kept back from the margins, protects the tissue, the margin seal, and the longevity of the restoration.

Removing excess and finishing

Remove excess cement while it is still in the rubbery stage, using floss and scalers to clean subgingivally and around every margin. Then check and adjust proximal contacts, emergence profile, and occlusion in centric and excursive movements, and polish all adjusted surfaces. Thorough cleanup and a smooth, well-adjusted surface support both periodontal health and the long-term durability backed by ROE's 2-year warranty.

 

Additional Resources

For more information concerning the Porcelain Fused Metal (PFM):

Contact Information

For help with a Locator Fixed solution for your next case, contact ROE Dental Laboratory: