Zirconia has overtaken PFM for most indications. Some indications still favor PFM. We do both well, and we're honest about which is the right call.
The short version: most posterior cases that used to be PFM are now zirconia, and that’s the right call for most of them. The cases where PFM still wins are specific.
We’re not going to talk a dentist out of PFM when it’s the right call. We’ve been making PFM crowns since 1984, and we still do them well.
Three alloy tiers, high noble, noble, base metal. The decision is rarely automatic; we work it through on the case planning call. Two extremes shown here.
Strongest fit and best long-term margin performance. Tolerated by the widest range of patients. Higher cost, the right call when margin precision and tolerance matter most.
Lower cost, higher mechanical strength. Slightly less forgiving margin behavior and patient-tolerance considerations. Appropriate for many posterior cases where cost is a primary driver.
Pick the scenario closest to your case. We'll show the recommendation and the reasoning. Anything outside these reads as a planning call, not a guess.
Strength wins. No reason to risk porcelain chipping under heavy occlusion when monolithic delivers comparable esthetics for a posterior position.
Metal substructure is exactly what PFM is built for. The alloy core gives a long-span posterior bridge the rigidity to resist flex across multiple units without the connector limitations of all-ceramic.
We offer all three alloy tiers, matched to what the plan reimburses. High noble fits and seats more predictably with better long-term margin behavior; base metal is stronger and lower cost; noble sits in between.
Any of the three works well here. A standard posterior single unit doesn’t force the material choice, it comes down to your practice’s usual preference, not a clinical requirement.
We’ve been making PFM crowns since IDA opened in 1984. The technology has changed underneath us, but the bench work for PFM hasn’t. Margin design, alloy selection, porcelain layering, and shade work on anterior PFM cases all still benefit from the same craft they did forty years ago.
When PFM is the right call for the case, we make it the same way we always have. No upsell to zirconia. No reluctance. Just the work.
Standard PFM prep tolerances apply. Margin design depends on the alloy choice and the esthetic demand. For anterior PFM cases, we’ll usually want a deeper facial reduction to give the porcelain layer enough thickness for shade work without compromising strength at the metal junction.
Specific prep dimensions and tolerance guidance are listed in our prep guide, and any case that’s outside those tolerances we’d rather flag and discuss than fabricate and hope.
Reference values · confirm against current CDT. Insurance language varies by carrier.
Standard high noble PFM crown.
Base metal alloy PFM crown.
Noble alloy PFM crown.
Standard recement code for PFM restorations.
Pontic code for high noble PFM bridges.
"IDA has become my go to dental lab for all of my implant crowns and bridges as well as traditional bridge cases. Their restorations consistently demonstrate an outstanding fit, often seating with minimal to no adjustments. The esthetics also meet the highest demands. They are easy to work with and always helpful when questions arise. I confidently recommend them to colleagues seeking reliable, highly esthetic results."
Dr. Michael O'Brien
"We've had nothing but positive experiences with this lab. Their team is always willing to help, whether we have questions about a case, need assistance with a remake, or just want a second opinion on treatment planning."
Dr. Lauran Spencer, DDS
"IDA Tulsa's work on fixed restorations, implant and tooth borne, is very high quality and consistent. Everyone I've worked with from IDA has been very available, open to communication, and helpful in delivering quality restorations for patients. Chris has been a great partner to work with in the dental business."
Dr. Heath Coleman Secure Dentures and Implants
The default for most posterior cases in 2026. Where zirconia has replaced PFM and where it hasn't.
Learn more
Anterior esthetics, thin veneer indications, the cleanest shade match in the category.
Learn more
For the cases where the difference between great and remake lives in the details. Plan it with a specialist before the case hits the bench.
Learn moreSchedule a 15-minute case consultation with an IDA technician. We'll talk through your scan, your patient, and what you need from us.
The questions that come up most often before we fabricate. Anything outside these is a planning call.
Contact UsSevere parafunctional cases, alloy-specific cases, insurance-driven cases, and long-span posterior bridges where you prefer metal substructure. For most other cases, zirconia is now the better answer.
High noble fits and seats more predictably, has better long-term margin behavior, and tolerates a wider range of patients. Base metal is stronger and lower cost. Noble alloys sit between.
D2750, D2751, D2752 by alloy type per current CDT.
No. If you’ve thought through the case and PFM is the right call, we make the PFM. We’re not in the business of talking dentists out of cases they’ve already planned.