Glidewell Laboratories has announced that production of conventional feldspathic PFMs will cease companywide effective October 1, 2016. All future PFM cases prescribed from the laboratory 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, the company says in a release, adding that 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 release says. "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 3D shape. This precision established with these techniques helps prevent bacterial invasion and cement washout in delivered restorations."

Jim Glidewell, CDT, says, “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 $116 per unit for white noble alloy.

For more information about Obsidian lithium silicate ceramic, visit https://www.obsidianceramic.com.