--- title: How to prep a tooth for a PFM crown description: To be successful, PFM crown prep design needs to be considered carefully. Here’s what the lab likes to see on a PFM tooth prep. --- [Skip to the main content.](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/prep-tooth-pfm-crown#main-content) 408 255 1020 | info@caldentalarts.com [![CDA-Logo-horizontal_reversed](https://caldentalarts.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logos/CDA-Logo-horizontal_reversed.png?width=1191&height=200&name=CDA-Logo-horizontal_reversed.png "CDA-Logo-horizontal_reversed")](https://caldentalarts.com) [![CDA-Logo-web](https://caldentalarts.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logos/CDA-Logo-web.png?width=1191&height=200&name=CDA-Logo-web.png "CDA-Logo-web")](https://caldentalarts.com) - Lab Solutions - Departments - [Crown and Bridge](https://caldentalarts.com/crown-and-bridge) - [Implants](https://caldentalarts.com/implants) - [Removables](https://caldentalarts.com/removables) - [Advanced Prosthetics](https://caldentalarts.com/advanced-prosthetics) - Chairside Technology - [CDA Connect](https://caldentalarts.com/cda-connect) - [3D Printing](https://caldentalarts.com/asiga) - [CBCT Scanning](https://caldentalarts.com/carestream) - [Design Software](https://caldentalarts.com/exocad) - Resources - [Articles](https://caldentalarts.com/articles) - [Send a case](https://caldentalarts.com/send-a-case) - [Events](https://caldentalarts.com/events) - [Rx Forms](https://caldentalarts.com/hubfs/pdfs/CDA%20Rx%20Forms.pdf) - [Customer Login](https://secured.caldentalarts.com/login.aspx) - [Contact](https://caldentalarts.com/contact) Toggle Menu Toggle Menu - Lab Solutions - Departments - [Crown and Bridge](https://caldentalarts.com/crown-and-bridge) - [Implants](https://caldentalarts.com/implants) - [Removables](https://caldentalarts.com/removables) - [Advanced Prosthetics](https://caldentalarts.com/advanced-prosthetics) - Chairside Technology - [CDA Connect](https://caldentalarts.com/cda-connect) - [3D Printing](https://caldentalarts.com/asiga) - [CBCT Scanning](https://caldentalarts.com/carestream) - [Design Software](https://caldentalarts.com/exocad) - Resources - [Articles](https://caldentalarts.com/articles) - [Send a case](https://caldentalarts.com/send-a-case) - [Events](https://caldentalarts.com/events) - [Rx Forms](https://caldentalarts.com/hubfs/pdfs/CDA%20Rx%20Forms.pdf) - [Customer Login](https://secured.caldentalarts.com/login.aspx) - [Contact](https://caldentalarts.com/contact) [Facebook](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/prep-tooth-pfm-crown#0) [Instagram](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/prep-tooth-pfm-crown#0) [Linkedin](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/prep-tooth-pfm-crown#0) #### Departments - [Crown and Bridge](https://caldentalarts.com/crown-and-bridge) - [Implants](https://caldentalarts.com/implants) - [Removables](https://caldentalarts.com/removables) - [Advanced Prosthetics](https://caldentalarts.com/advanced-prosthetics) #### Chairside Technology - [CDA Connect](https://caldentalarts.com/cda-connect) - [3D Printing](https://caldentalarts.com/asiga) - [CBCT Scanning](https://caldentalarts.com/carestream) - [Design Software](https://caldentalarts.com/exocad) #### Resources - [Send a case](https://caldentalarts.com/send-a-case) - [Articles](https://caldentalarts.com/articles) - [Events](https://caldentalarts.com/events) # How to prep a tooth for a PFM crown [California Dental Arts](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/author/california-dental-arts) Jul 28, 2025, 10:17:47 AM [Lab relationship](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/tag/lab-relationship) [Materials](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/tag/materials) [Products](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/tag/products) [Crown and Bridge](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/tag/crown-and-bridge) In many dental practices, the PFM crown is still a popular tool for fixed restorations because of its combined strength and esthetics. To be successful, PFM crown prep requires adequate tooth reduction to accommodate both metal and porcelain, so the prep design needs to be considered carefully. Here’s what the lab likes to see on a PFM tooth prep.   --- ### Anterior Prep ![PFM-anterior-prep-01](https://caldentalarts.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/PFM-anterior-prep-01.jpg?width=800&height=800&name=PFM-anterior-prep-01.jpg) ![PFM-prep-guide-key](https://caldentalarts.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/PFM-prep-guide-key.jpg?width=373&height=60&name=PFM-prep-guide-key.jpg) --- ### Posterior Prep ![PFM-Posterior-prep-02](https://caldentalarts.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/PFM-Posterior-prep-02.jpg?width=800&height=679&name=PFM-Posterior-prep-02.jpg) ![PFM-prep-guide-key](https://caldentalarts.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/PFM-prep-guide-key.jpg?width=373&height=60&name=PFM-prep-guide-key.jpg) [Download our PFM prep guide](https://caldentalarts.com/hubfs/pdfs/PFM%20prep%20guide.pdf), or [contact us](https://www.caldentalarts.com/contact/) for help with your next PFM tooth prep. ### We’re here to make dentistry easier. #### **Find a lab partner you can rely on.** [![

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