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What is the clinical workflow for a lab-fabricated PFM crown?

A PFM is a lab-fabricated restoration completed over two patient visits, with approximately 9 days in the lab between them (shipping not included). The sequence below follows ROE's lab-fabricated crown workflow.

First appointment: preparation and records

Begin by removing decay and damaged structure and shaping the tooth to accommodate the crown, building up core material if needed for a stable foundation. Shape retention features and verify adequate occlusal clearance, then manage tissue and moisture so the margins are clean and dry. Capture detailed impressions or scans including bite registration, then select the metal and determine final shade, capturing shade photographs and stump-shade references where helpful. Place a temporary crown to protect the preparation.

Between appointments

ROE fabricates the milled coping, applies the opaque and layered porcelain, and finishes the restoration. Use the case delivery calculator to schedule the patient's return around the 9-day in-lab window.

Second appointment: try-in, verification, and delivery

Remove the temporary crown and clean all temporary cement from the preparation. Sanitize the restoration (ROE recommends a 2-minute immersion in 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate solution). Trial-fit the crown and check margins, contacts, occlusion, embrasure form, and overall esthetics, having the patient bite firmly to confirm full seating. Before cementing, capture a post-operative radiograph to confirm the margins are fully sealed, using an explorer to confirm marginal fit in proximal areas where direct vision is limited.

Cementation and finishing

Cement the restoration following the seating protocol (see the seating and cementation article), remove excess cement while it is still rubbery, then check and adjust proximal contacts, emergence profile, and occlusal contacts in centric and excursive movements. Polish all adjusted surfaces thoroughly, since rough contacts and occlusal surfaces can abrade adjacent and opposing natural teeth over time.

Clinical rule of thumb: Verify complete seating radiographically before final cementation. An open or short margin caught at try-in is a quick fix; the same problem found after cementation is a remake.

 

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: