SLM Printed Cobalt-Chrome PFM Substructures

Precision metal frameworks for porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns and bridges with exceptional fit and strength

Our Selective Laser Melting (SLM) printed cobalt-chrome PFM substructures deliver superior accuracy, consistent quality, and optimal porcelain bonding for beautiful, long-lasting aesthetic restorations. Fabricated directly from your digital design files using advanced metal additive manufacturing technology, these frameworks eliminate the dimensional inconsistencies and porosity issues associated with traditional casting methods while ensuring perfect marginal fit and anatomical contours.

Applications

• Single Unit Crowns - Anterior and posterior metal copings for individual teeth
• Multi-Unit Fixed Bridges - 3-14 unit bridge frameworks with precise connector design
• Implant-Supported Crowns - Custom abutment copings and screw-retained frameworks
• Implant-Supported Bridges - Multi-unit implant bridge substructures
• Long-Span Bridges - Extended frameworks requiring high strength and rigidity
• Full-Arch Rehabilitations - Complete maxillary or mandibular fixed prostheses
• Telescopic Crowns - Primary and secondary copings for removable prosthetics
• Hybrid Designs - Combined tooth and implant-supported restorations

Technical Specifications

Manufacturing Technology: Selective Laser Melting (SLM)

Material: Medical-grade Cobalt-Chrome Alloy (CoCr)

Minimum Wall Thickness: 0.3mm (recommended 0.5mm for optimal strength)

Margin Thickness: 0.3-0.5mm for optimal fit and durability

Connector Dimensions: Minimum 3mm² cross-sectional area for posterior bridges

Porcelain Bonding Surface: Optimized texture for mechanical retention

File Format Compatibility: STL, OBJ, PLY, DCM

Turnaround Time: 3-5 business days (standard); rush available

Material Composition & Properties

Alloy Composition:

• Cobalt (Co): 62.9%
• Chromium (Cr): 24.6%
• Molybdenum (Mo): 4.8%
• Tungsten (W): 5.6%
• Silicon (Si): 1.1%
• Iron (Fe): <1.0%
• No Nickel, Beryllium, or Cadmium

Mechanical Properties:

• Density: 8.60 g/cm³
• Proof Strength: 550 MPa
• Ultimate Tensile Strength: 1350 MPa
• Young's Modulus: 200 GPa
• Percent Elongation: 7%
• Vickers Hardness: 370 HV10
• Melting Interval: 1410-1450°C

Porcelain Bond Strength: >25 MPa (ISO 9693 compliant)

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE): 14.3 - 14.5 (compatible with standard dental porcelains)

Corrosion Resistance: Excellent resistance to oral fluids and galvanic corrosion

Key Benefits

Perfect Marginal Fit - SLM technology produces frameworks with exceptional marginal accuracy, reducing adjustment time and ensuring long-term seal integrity

Superior Strength - 1350 MPa tensile strength provides exceptional durability for long-span bridges and high-stress restorations

Consistent Quality - Digital workflow eliminates variables in wax-up, investing, and casting, ensuring predictable results every time

Optimized Porcelain Bonding - Controlled surface texture and complete oxide layer formation provide superior mechanical and chemical bonding

Design Flexibility - Complex anatomies, undercuts, and custom emergence profiles easily achieved without traditional casting limitations

Hypoallergenic - Nickel-free, beryllium-free composition eliminates allergic reactions and tissue sensitivity concerns

Reduced Laboratory Time - Minimal adjustments required for seating, allowing faster turnaround to ceramist

No Casting Defects - Eliminates common casting problems: porosity, nodules, fins, incomplete margins, and dimensional distortion

Biocompatible & Stable - Excellent corrosion resistance ensures long-term tissue health and restoration longevity

Design Capabilities

Our SLM process enables advanced framework designs including:

• Anatomical Contours - Precise reduction to provide ideal porcelain thickness distribution
• Marginal Design - Knife-edge, shoulder, or chamfer preparations with consistent thickness
• Connector Design - Optimized dimensions and embrasure shapes for strength and hygiene
• Retention Features - Integrated pins, boxes, or grooves for complex preparations
• Emergency Anatomy - Custom contours for optimal soft tissue health
• Pontic Design - Modified ridge-lap, ovate, or hygienic configurations
• Screw Access Channels - Precise angulation for implant-supported restorations
• Telescopic Features - Primary/secondary coping designs with controlled taper
• Cutback Design - Strategic metal reduction for optimal aesthetic zones

Surface Treatment & Finishing

All PFM substructures include:

• Sandblasting - Aluminum oxide (50-110 μm) for optimal porcelain bonding surface

Porcelain Compatibility

Our CoCr alloy is compatible with all major dental porcelain systems:

• Ivoclar Vivadent - IPS d.SIGN, IPS InLine
• VITA - VITA VM 13, VITA VM 9
• Noritake - CZR Press, EX-3
• Ceramco - Ceramco 3
• Creation - Creation CC, Creation Willi's Glass
• Duceram - Duceram Plus, Duceram Kiss

CTE Compatibility: 14.3 - 14.5 ensures stress-free porcelain application with no chipping or delamination

Advantages

• Consistent framework quality eliminates remakes
• Reduced production time and labor costs
• No casting equipment or investment materials needed
• Predictable porcelain application with excellent bonding
• Digital workflow integration with existing CAD software
• Reduced material waste and environmental impact

Compatibility

CAD Software: 3Shape Dental System, Exocad, Dental Wings

Scanning Systems: All intraoral and desktop scanners producing STL files

Transform your digital designs into precision metal substructures that provide the foundation for beautiful, long-lasting porcelain restorations.