Patient has a crown on a mandibular first molar where the buccal metal is showing. She wants a more esthetic restoration. What is the best replacement?

For a posterior molar requiring both esthetics and strength, monolithic zirconia is the preferred choice — it has high flexural strength (ÔëÑ1000 MPa), good esthetics (especially translucent versions), and eliminates the metal collar issue. Feldspathic porcelain is too brittle for molars; PFM still shows metal; gold fails esthetics.