High Translucency Xtreme
Inside Dental Technology delivers updates on digital workflows, materials, lab techniques, and innovation in dental technology through expert articles and videos.
May 1, 2016
Volume 7, Issue 5, May 2016
Page(s):
By Doug Frye, CDT
Laboratory owners today have options for their esthetic monolithic product lines. Over the past several years, the esthetic monolithic market was controlled and saturated with lithium disilicate or similar products. These materials have been at the forefront mainly because of the high level of translucency they offer. Laboratory owners, however, continued to ask the same question: Why hasn’t anyone developed an esthetic, high-translucency zirconia? Now, monolithic zirconia restorations are gaining popularity versus layered restorations.
One of the most important factors in a business owner’s decision regarding materials is profitability. As laboratory owners move forward with new materials and milling options, it is important to weigh out the costs related to time and materials. If you have been acheiving esthetic monolithic restorations by either pressing or milling the lithium disilicate/silicate hybrids, then time and product cost have been the primary challenges. The cost of this process includes waxing or milling a wax pattern; spruing; investing (cost of investment); the burnout process; pressing; the cooling process; de-vesting; the acid bath (removal of the reaction layer); secondary sandblasting; and cutting off the sprue. If you are purchasing blocks instead of pucks, the profit decreases even more.
Laboratories that have been milling zirconia should agree that in-house manufacturing is the optimal course of action. The number of units that can be modeled through an in-house scanner and an in-house mill increases the profit margins considerably. The next step is finding the best product that can compete against the lithium disilicate/silicate hybrids.
After beta tests using several brands of high-translucency zirconia, the author’s overwhelming choice is Whip Mix Vericore HTX. The HTX zirconia is stronger than the above mentioned materials. The capabilities are equal to those of the lithium-based products, including 3-unit bridges. The HTX can be layered for even higher esthetic results, and restorations can be pre-stained in the green state. This allows the technician to create multiple shade capabilities on a single restoration or 3-unit bridge.
If the dentist requests a restoration fabricated with an A3.5 cervical one-third blending to a D2 incisal, we now have a product that will make this possible. This is not the case with lithium disilicate/silicate hybrids. Post-sintering staining and glazing techniques are the same as your standard zirconia.
The choice was easy to make. HTX allows for an easier process, much higher profitability, and beautiful esthetics, and it is made in America by the Whip Mix Corporation.
The statements and opinions contained in the preceding material are and not of the editors, publisher, or the Editorial Board of Inside Dental Technology.
Manufacturer Information
Whip Mix Corporation
whipmix.com
800-626-5651
Doug Frye, CDT
President of Functional Esthetics Dental Lab, Inc.
Re-Creating Nature™ Seminars
Farmington, Missouri
