Starting October 1, 2016, Glidewell Laboratories will cease production of conventional PFMs, and all PFM cases will use Obsidian lithium silicate in place of feldspathic porcelain.
Glidewell Laboratories announced on Thursday that its 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-pressed-to-metal crowns are, without question, the next step in the evolution of PFMs,” said Jim Glidewell, CDT.
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. The precision established with these techniques helps prevent bacterial invasion and cement washout in delivered restorations.
Obsidian-pressed-to-metal restorations are priced at the current PFM rate of $109 per unit for nonprecious alloy and at a reduced rate of $116 per unit for white noble alloy.
For more information about Obsidian lithium silicate ceramic, visit obsidianceramic.com. For more information about Glidewell Laboratories, visit glidewelldental.com.
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Source: Glidewell Laboratories press release, 22 September 2016
