High-Strength Multilayer Zirconia
Inside Dental Technology delivers updates on digital workflows, materials, lab techniques, and innovation in dental technology through expert articles and videos.
October 1, 2020
Volume 11, Issue 9, October 2020
Page(s): p. 38
Jack Marrano, CDT
Over the past decade, we have seen incredible advancements in CAD/CAM technology. However, restorative materials have been slow to catch up—until now. Argen has recently developed a higher-strength, multilayer zirconia material to enable technicians to capitalize on digital design. Today's innovative CAD technologies, in combination with advanced milling equipment and material options, offer the progressive dental laboratory a huge competitive edge. With the ever-increasing popularity of all-on-X hybrid restorations, the demand is great for a zirconia that can meet the esthetic and strength demands of discerning technicians and clinicians. By using ArgenZ HT+ Multilayer zirconia, laboratories can now utilize CAD technology to its fullest capability.
Advancements in esthetics had been limited to lower-strength zirconias that, while very capable and esthetic, could only be used for singles and 3-unit bridges. ArgenZ HT+ Multilayer is unlike any other zirconia on the market. It exhibits a high strength of 1,250 MPa and is indicated for use from singles to posterior bridges, including all-on-X hybrid implant restorations. The high strength is carried throughout the layers of the material to avoid areas of weakness while keeping its classification as a monolithic 4Y all the way through. This is especially important when fabricating all-on-X implant-supported hybrids. By utilizing ArgenZ HT+ Multilayer, technicians can produce extremely natural and lifelike esthetics that need less post-processing and handling than before, all while maintaining the ultimate strength and esthetics. The incisal edge translucency has been maximized. This material also displays true gradient with zero demarcation lines due to Argen's proprietary blending process. This natural gradient within the disc produces results similar to simple hand-built ceramic techniques.
ArgenZ HT+ Multilayer is available in 16 VITA classical shades, as well as three bleach shades. Unlike other multilayer zirconias, shades A1, A2, and B1 have been value-corrected to not exhibit the issues typically related to low value.
Technicians can use Argen's optimized nesting software developed with SUM3D CAD to see the individual color gradient of each positioned unit within their multilayer disc. This aids in the perfect positioning of units.
After sintering, the restoration receives final adjustments and is checked for accuracy on the die. Once the restoration is verified as accurate, a simple stain-and-glaze technique will easily achieve individual characterization of the final restoration.
Until now, to gain the appropriate level of esthetics, technicians needed to utilize standard porcelain build-up techniques. The need to layer hindered the ability to design and mill the restoration in full contour. Valuable information already established by the designer in CAD would be removed during a cut-back technique and ultimately had to be replaced by the application of ceramics. By not utilizing the design technology to its fullest, dental laboratories missed out on the efficiency that the technology brings. This inefficiency and redundancy is eliminated by utilizing ArgenZ HT+ Multilayer while still having the ability to achieve unparalleled monolithic esthetics.
The esthetic evolution of zirconia has reached a new milestone with the development of ArgenZ HT+ Multilayer zirconia.
Key Takeaways
› ArgenZ HT+ Multilayer exhibits 1,250 MPa throughout its layers
› Material exhibits true gradient with zero demarcation lines
› Argen's optimized nesting software aids in perfect positioning of units
› Minimal post-processing eliminates inefficiencies and redundancy
Disclaimer: The statements and opinions contained in the preceding material are not of the editors, publisher, or the Editorial Board of Inside Dental Technology.
About the Author
Jack Marrano, CDT
Director, Signature
Prosthetics Division
Absolute Dental Services
Durham, NC
Company Information
Argen
argen.com
800-255-5524
