As of October 1, Glidewell Laboratories will no longer produce conventional feldspathic PFMs and will use Obsidian lithium silicate ceramic instead.
Obsidian Pressed to Metal crowns and bridges represent a higher standard of care, according to a press release, and exhibit more than four times the flexural strength and two times the chip resistance of traditional porcelains.
The lithium silicate ceramic is well suited for bridges, cases with insufficient vertical space for full-contour zirconia and screw-retained restorations.
Obsidian’s translucency naturally matches real dentition and the pressed to metal restorations enable enhanced marginal precision with tolerances as tight as 20 microns. Metal understructures are digitally designed then fabricated with a computer-controlled selective laser sintering machine, which uses a laser to bind metal powder into a 3D shape. This precision helps prevent bacterial invasion and cement washout.
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Glidewell Laboratories to Cease Production of Conventional PFMs
All PFM Cases Will Use Obsidian® Lithium Silicate in Place of Feldspathic Porcelain
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--Glidewell Laboratories, industry-leading provider of dental laboratory products and services, announced today that production of conventional feldspathic PFMs will cease companywide effective October 1, 2016. All future PFM cases prescribed from the lab will use Obsidian® lithium silicate ceramic in place of feldspathic porcelain.
When compared to conventional PFMs, Obsidian Pressed to Metal crowns and bridges represent a higher standard of care in ceramo-metal restorations. Obsidian lithium silicate ceramic exhibits over four times the flexural strength and two times the chip resistance of traditional porcelains. The material polishes beautifully and is kinder to opposing dentition than previous PFM ceramics. The increased toughness of Obsidian makes it ideal for bridges, cases with insufficient vertical space for full-contour zirconia, and screw-retained restorations.
Obsidian's greater translucency matches shades and blends more naturally with real dentition. Obsidian Pressed to Metal restorations also enable a new level of marginal precision, with tolerances as tight as 20 microns. Each metal understructure is digitally designed and then fabricated with a computer-controlled selective laser sintering machine, which uses a laser to bind metal powder into a 3-D shape. This precision established with these techniques helps prevent bacterial invasion and cement washout in delivered restorations.
Jim Glidewell, CDT, said, "Obsidian Pressed to Metal crowns are without question the next step in the evolution of PFMs." Obsidian Pressed to Metal restorations are priced at the current PFM rate of $109 per unit for non-precious alloy and at a reduced rate of just $116 per unit for white noble alloy.
Source: Glidewell Laboratories