Titanium for PFM
Posted on 09/02/2011
In 2003, the ADA created a new classification specifically for titanium based alloys. The alloy is placed between the Noble and High Noble category and qualifies if the alloy contains 85% or more titanium. While the benefits of titanium as a bicompatible material for the body are quite well known within both dentistry and medicine, its applications within fixed prosthodontics is actually quite limited outside of implant dentistry.
The limitations result from the difficulty in casting titanium (virtually all titanium is milled by machines) and the difficulty in applying porcelain to titanium. Very few porcelain systems work with titanium - which means that technicians who have experience with traditional porcelains cannot use them when applying them to titanium. Additionally, because most titanium understructures are milled, the same application and design limitations that apply to all CAD designed fixed restorations applies. Indeed, it is important to remember that the human hand is capable of waxing and casting a restoration to fit virtually any situation including inlays, onlays, rests, wings, and attachments. CAD fabricated crowns are limited by the software and the milling unit. Even the most sophisticated machines cannot do certain restorations that the human hand finds easy.
This all being said, titanium is the preferred alloy for virtually all implants and the most common alloy for implant abutments and abutment screws. It will probably continue to play an important role in implant dentistry. But unless more porcelain systems adapt to it, we do not believe this alloy will ever become the alloy of choice for PFMs.
The limitations result from the difficulty in casting titanium (virtually all titanium is milled by machines) and the difficulty in applying porcelain to titanium. Very few porcelain systems work with titanium - which means that technicians who have experience with traditional porcelains cannot use them when applying them to titanium. Additionally, because most titanium understructures are milled, the same application and design limitations that apply to all CAD designed fixed restorations applies. Indeed, it is important to remember that the human hand is capable of waxing and casting a restoration to fit virtually any situation including inlays, onlays, rests, wings, and attachments. CAD fabricated crowns are limited by the software and the milling unit. Even the most sophisticated machines cannot do certain restorations that the human hand finds easy.
This all being said, titanium is the preferred alloy for virtually all implants and the most common alloy for implant abutments and abutment screws. It will probably continue to play an important role in implant dentistry. But unless more porcelain systems adapt to it, we do not believe this alloy will ever become the alloy of choice for PFMs.
