Erase Metal Margins with Emax CAD

The idea of a metal porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) margin is intended for better resistance to bacterial accumulation and recurrent caries.   It is definitely a sound technique, but not necessary in today’s advanced techniques and materials, in my opinion.  We have many patients that complain about the metal showing at the edges of their crowns, or they don’t like the opacity of the material.   Feldspathic porcelains tend to not have enough flexural strength for longevity in a hot/cold and functioning environment and therefore, require a stronger coping, like metal.  In other words, they can break on their own.   That metal core that helps this from happening then is the cause for the lower esthetic result.

This case was an example of this, although recurrent caries happened anyway.   This justified the remake of the crown on it’s own, and not just as a cosmetic procedure.   It was completed with the CEREC 4.3 software and eMax CAD HT D3 with some light customization.