Occlusal Assessment of Porcelain-Fused-To-Metal (PFM) Crowns during try-in Appointment in the Prosthodontics Department, Saidu College Of Dentistry

ABSTRACT

Objectives

To assess the quality of occlusal contacts in PFM crowns during try-in appointments using modified FDI criteria at the Prosthodontics Department, Saidu College of Dentistry. METHODOLOGY This cross-sectional observational study involved 193 patients receiving PFM crowns. Occlusal contacts were assessed using 12-µm and 100-µm articulating papers. Contacts were categorised as excellent, good, satisfactory, or unsatisfactory. Demographic and clinical data were analysed using SPSS v25, and associations were evaluated via chi-square tests (p ≤ 0.05). RESULTSAmong 193 patients (54.9% female, mean age: 41.2 years), 35.2% had excellent, 29.0% good, 22.3% satisfactory, and 13.5% unsatisfactory occlusal contacts. Age was significantly associated with occlusal outcomes (p = 0.038), with older patients more likely to exhibit unsatisfactory contacts. No significant differences were observed by gender or tooth location.

Conclusion

Most PFM crowns exhibited acceptable occlusal contacts during try-in. Age influenced occlusal quality, emphasising the need for heightened clinical scrutiny in older patients. Articulating papers of varying thickness effectively detected contact discrepancies, reinforcing their role in ensuring optimal prosthetic fit and function prior to cementation.