Don’t Forget the Basics
Inside Dental Technology delivers updates on digital workflows, materials, lab techniques, and innovation in dental technology through expert articles and videos.
March 1, 2011
Volume 2, Issue 3, March 2011
Page(s):
By Andre M. Theberge, RDT, CDT
The last two decades have been a whirlwind of invention and innovation from the "Esthetic Revolution" that began in the 1990s to today’s 3-D digitization of the same teeth technicians used to laboriously create as they perfected their craft. Unfortunately, during this time period, the industry has lost many of the basic principles that have served it so well. Form, function, and a thorough understanding of dental anatomy and morphology are concepts forgotten by many new technologists coming into the profession. Coupling this reality with the fact that dental schools are producing clinicians who possess fewer skills and less understanding of functional laboratory procedures, the industry is left with an educated profession that perceives less value in finite laboratory procedures and possesses less knowledge of material choices.
However, some products have been developed and brought to market that innately steer technicians to simplicity of purpose and allow them to get back to the basics of dental technology. IPS InLine One is one such product. This metal-ceramic material offers technicians a single-powder application over an opaqued substrate to achieve the various shades needed to satisfy their demanding clientele. It is an efficient material option for achieving reliable esthetics and shade matching with only a single-layer application.
In approximately 10 minutes, a simple build can be developed without the thought of overlayering an enamel (Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 ). The material handles similarly to other porcelains, contours very easily, and firing shrinkage is within the customary range. The fired crown is adjusted, which takes approximately 2 minutes (Figure 4 and Figure 5 ), and a correction bake completed, after which the same powder is applied (Figure 6 ). The unit is fired once again, and the final contour is completed in approximately 5 minutes (Figure 7, Figure 8, Figure 9, Figure 10 , Figure 11 and Figure 12).
The stain and glaze application follows normal protocol, and the final restoration is ready for delivery. The fabrication sequence is simple and straightforward and enables technicians to focus on form and function to accelerate skill levels directed toward more complicated cases. Complex cases cannot be constructed properly without having a firm grasp of the basics.
The IPS InLine family of metal-ceramic materials is versatile, offering the ability to fabricate press-to-metal and multi-layered restorations as well. Advances in material development with the philosophy of production simplicity and efficiency fit well into a business environment focused on higher production. These types of single-powder application materials allow novice and intermediate technicians to concentrate on ideal form and function and produce final restorations with greater accuracy and efficiency without having to think about proper incisal material application.
For more information, contact:
Ivoclar Vivadent Inc
Phone 800-533-6825 (US) 800-263-8182 (Canada)
Web www.ivoclarvivadent.com
E-mail info@ivoclarvivadent.com
The preceding material was provided by the manufacturer. The statements and opinions contained therein are solely those of the manufacturer and not of the editors, publisher, or the Editorial Board of Inside Dental Technology.
Andre Theberge, RDT, CDT, is the laboratory manager of Drake Precision Dental Laboratory in Charlotte, North Carolina.
