FAQ
Why do dentists still use PFM crowns?
A straight answer first, then the context behind it, from the technicians who do the work.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Dentists still use PFM crowns because the metal substructure delivers proven long-term durability, especially in high-load posterior positions and bruxism cases. The porcelain-fused-to-metal design has 40-plus years of clinical data behind it, fits many insurance fee schedules, and remains a predictable choice when all-ceramic fracture risk is a real concern for a given patient.
THE CONTEXT
What sits behind it
Full-zirconia and lithium disilicate have taken significant market share since 2010, but PFM has not disappeared from the prescription pad. For general dentists managing patients with heavy occlusal wear or documented parafunctional habits, the metal coping provides a mechanical safety net that monolithic ceramics cannot always match. In posterior molar positions where esthetic demand is low and bite force is high, many clinicians still find PFM the defensible call.
Insurance reimbursement is part of the equation too. Many Delta Dental and BCBS fee schedules reimburse PFM at a rate that makes full-ceramic harder to justify without patient buy-in on the cost difference. Practices managing a high volume of insurance-dependent patients write PFM prescriptions for straightforward economic reasons, not because they distrust ceramic technology.
From a lab perspective, PFM fabrication requires precise porcelain application over a cast or milled metal coping. Shade consistency, margin adaptation, and contact accuracy all depend on technician skill. Dani Dental still fabricates PFM restorations with the same named-technician accountability applied to full-ceramic work. Turnaround is 5 to 7 business days. If you are transitioning your practice toward full-ceramic but still carry a PFM caseload, a single lab handling both keeps the workflow clean.
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Why do dentists still use PFM crowns?
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This question is one piece of a larger workflow. The pillar page covers materials, turnaround, and how we build the case to your specification.
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