3M™ ESPE™ Lava™ Plus High Translucency Zirconia now available in disc format for open milling

3M ESPE Dental has announced it is making 3M™ ESPE™ Lava™ Plus High Translucency Zirconia available in a disc format for open-source milling.

The new Lava Plus portfolio, which is available to labs milling 98 mm discs, includes both Lava Plus zirconia as well as its unique shading system. The 98 mm-diameter zirconia discs are available in thicknesses of 14 mm, 18 mm and 25 mm, and in formats with and without a step. Based on the same material technology as the Mill Blank formats for Lava Milling Systems, Lava Plus Discs and Lava Plus Mill Blanks offer the reliability and high performance that the Lava brand is known for.

“This introduction gives labs access to one of the most trusted zirconia materials on the market, as well as shading options that help them easily create highly esthetic restorations,” said Jennifer Van Ranst, U.S. marketing manager. “After millions of cases around the world, we’re proud to make Lava zirconia easier to access than ever.” 

The patented shading system, developed specifically for Lava Plus zirconia, offers a wide range of dyeing liquids with 18 shades for a consistent match to the VITA classical A1 – D4 shade guide (VITA Zahnfabrik), and two additional 3M ESPE bleach shades. Two shading options-dip shading and natural gradient shading-give labs flexibility and total control of the esthetic level:

·      Monochrome dip shading: All-zirconia restorations and frameworks can be produced with this technique, a fast and easy 2-minute process in which the shading liquid is evenly and completely absorbed throughout the zirconia. This means the color is embedded throughout the restoration, so if dentists need to make an adjustment, the burr will not create a white spot.

·      Natural gradient shading: For artisan esthetics, labs can also use Lava Plus zirconia and the associated shading system (including new Lava™ Plus High Translucency Enamel Liquids) to replicate the look of hand-layering or veneering with an all-zirconia restoration. The Lava Plus Enamel Liquids, available in 100ml bottles and in shades of Enamel Bleach, Enamel Light, and Enamel Medium, are the optimal enhancements to Lava Plus Dyeing Liquids

Lava Plus zirconia can also be used as a coping or framework for layered restorations, and is compatible with dedicated zirconia veneering porcelains. For more information on Lava Plus zirconia, visit www.3M.com/LavaPlus.