A material composition for use in forming a porous metal structure and dental coping in the preparation of a dental restoration comprising a composite of metal particles in a matrix including low fusing temperature metal particles and at least between 35 to 85% medium fusing temperature metal particles by volume with the medium fusing temperature metal particles possessing a melting characteristic which during heat treatment of the material composition to form the porous metal structure results in partial melting of the medium fusing temperature metal particles to the extent of between about 4% to 50% by volume of the particle mass of each medium fusing temperature metal particle.