In discussing cosmetic cases, a dentist must give special consideration to those that are conducted over long distances. The particular situation we are looking at involves a patient who resides in Florida but used to live in Illinois.

She was a long-time patient of the dentist and wished for him to handle her work despite the distance between them. He is a member of the 

American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD)

 and she trusted his abilities. Her situation had recently changed with the passing of her husband after a long illness and she was interested in changing her smile.

When she came to visit the author, he noted that there was really nothing wrong with her 15-year-old veneers. She had a very small chip on the incisal area of tooth No. 8, and the color was darker than what she liked. Therefore, she wished to replace them with a brighter color and take care of the chipped area at the same time. The author proceeded with her custom shade and fabrication of the case.

Check out this video with images from the cas

 When the author looked at the patient’s dentition during the pre-operative custom shading appointment (Fig. 1), he asked her exactly what she wanted to change about her appearance. He informed her that, in his opinion, the veneers she wore were well done and that he would mimic them when he created her new ones. The only thing he would change, unless she stated otherwise, was the color. The small chip was noted and they decided that her color was somewhere in between A1 and A2 (Fig. 2). To brighten the color, he would use a B1 base shade instead.
	 

The dentist prepped her teeth (Fig. 3) in-office and provided this image for the author. Using one of the author’s shade guides, prep color was checked (Fig. 4) and any discoloration noted. It was also important to discuss shape with the patient and ask her preferences (Fig. 5). The author asked her if she wanted a more rounded edge or if she like the current square/square-shape given to this set of restorations. She stated that she wanted the shape to remain the same.

 AO, BO and BOO ingot colors were chosen in a feldspathic material (Fig. 6) for the veneers. After pressing, the veneers were waxed (Fig. 7) and fit to the model (Fig. 8). Dentin and enamel color was applied during the second build-up stage (Fig. 9). The finished restorations were then placed on the cast model for a fit check (Fig. 10). A mirrored image of the final veneers is provided for the reader to clearly see the beauty and harmony of the color characteristics (Fig. 11).

 Upon cementation, a photographic image was taken for a before/after comparison protrusive view (Fig. 12). A side view smile (Fig. 13) and facial smile view clearly denotes the prominence of the centrals (Fig. 14), common within everyone’s dentition. It is noted that the maxillary teeth are brighter in color than the mandibular, which was not problematic for the patient. For a side-by-side contrast, Figs. 15 and 16 provide the color differences for the reader to clearly see.


	Often when people experience a life-changing event they may want to change something about themselves. In our patient’s case, she simply wanted to brighten and improve her smile as a step to changing her appearance. Perhaps it was the first step of many, we cannot say. But she was happy with the changes she implemented and the author was happy with the results of his work as well.


	Luke S. Kahng is an accomplished lab technician, specializing in high-end ceramic restorations. Frustrations with the shade matching systems available to him inspired his creation of the 

. Originally comprised of Volumes 1 and 2, it was later expanded into a unique ceramic shade guide system, the Seasons of Life Selection. As an active contributor to the dental community, he has also held positions on several major dental journal boards, and is frequently a keynote speaker at numerous conventions, labs or his own lab-hosted seminars. Luke is also the owner and president of 

, high-profile entity. Located in Naperville, Ill., LSK121 provides oral restorative services and assistance transnationally.

This article originally appeared in the April 2014 issue of Dental Lab Products. For more great articles and product information, 

click here to subscribe to DLP's newsletter 

Articles

 In discussing cosmetic cases, a dentist must give special consideration to those that are conducted over long distances. The particular situation we are looking at involves a patient who resides in Florida but used to live in Illinois.

Bench Mastery: Great esthetics in an eight-unit veneer case

	For quite some time, we have been hearing about minimally invasive techniques for the esthetic rehabilitation of the oral cavity. Whether a patient wishes to have stains removed, teeth bleached or the tooth shape and general appearance improved, the range of treatment options is almost unlimited.

Procedures include tooth bleaching, enamel micro-abrasion, direct composite restorations and the whole spectrum of laminate veneer restorations, ranging from full veneers-involving more aggressive preparation and the different types of thin or micro-veneers-to non-prep veneers and edge-ups. In cases where a major improvement of the shade and shape is desirable, indirect veneers are clearly the clinician’s first choice.

Because of their superior esthetic and mechanical properties, indirect veneers are ideal when extensive esthetic adjustments are required. Before the material is chosen, the clinician needs to understand the two main challenges of esthetic oral rehabilitation: selecting the proper shade and opacity of the material and determining the amount of tooth structure that needs to be removed in order to achieve the desired result. For example, in cases where teeth are moderately to severely misaligned and orthodontic treatment is not possible, aggressive preparation will be needed. The same applies to teeth with heavy staining caused by fluorosis or tetracycline.


	A diagnostic wax-up is of paramount importance in order to evaluate the feasibility of the treatment. Once the wax-up has been created, it needs to be transferred to the mouth to demonstrate the possible esthetic outcome to the patient. A mock-up based on an impression of the wax-up is normally the method of choice. If the traditional protocol is followed, the clinician will have the chance to make small adjustments to the mock-up and discuss them with the patient after the teeth have been prepared and the temporary restorations placed. These adjustments are then communicated to the dental technician before the final restoration is fabricated.
	In the case of non-prep veneers, a direct mock-up can be challenging to fabricate and the final outcome difficult to visualize due to the minimal thickness of the final restorations and the differences between the resin (used for the mock-up) and the ceramic (used for the final veneers). Presentation and imaging programs (which are easily available and affordable for everyone) are a novel option for simulating the final outcome. They allow digital mock-ups to be created on the computer screen. This method is extremely easy, accurate and reliable while saving cost and time. While a classical mock-up requires a chair time of 15-20 minutes, the digital mock-up can be done in less than one minute by the dental assistant or the clinician, if appropriate clinical and technical pictures are available. By superimposing a picture of the wax-up onto the pre-operative picture, a digital image of the final result is obtained. The only requirement is to match dimensions, inclination and perspective.

Click here to read about the material selection and the clinical case. 


	Closing multiple diastemas with non-prep veneers can be quite a challenging task. In most cases, the veneers will be extremely thin on the labial aspect and at the same time very thick mesially and distally. While high translucency is required to “capture” some color from the underlying tooth structure and thus ensure a natural appearance, the material also requires reasonable opacity in order to mask the darkness of the oral cavity showing through in the area of the diastemas.
	Feldspathic power/liquid ceramics are well-known for their fantastic esthetic properties, but also for their weaknesses. They will fulfil the requirements of a standard case, but if wide diastemas (1.5 mm and wider) are involved, the occurring occlusal forces can be problematic. In the past few years, the esthetic properties of 

IPS e.max® lithium disilicate glass-ceramic (LS2)

 have been significantly improved due to the introduction of different gradations of translucency. Today, LS2 ceramics can be processed using either CAD/CAM or press techniques. The materials are available in up to five different levels of translucency and show flexural strengths ranging from 360 to 400 MPa. For the case at hand, the highly translucent lithium disilicate glass-ceramic 

Check out this video with image from this clinical case. 

 A 37-year-old female patient presented to our office. She was dissatisfied with her appearance. She did not like the multiple diastemas showing when she smiled (Fig. 1) and hoped to find someone to offer her durable and predictable treatment not involving any tooth preparation and at a reasonable price. She had undergone orthodontic treatment before. In another clinic, teeth Nos. 8 and 9 had been restored distally with composite fillings.
	

In our practice, the old composite fillings were removed. In non-prep veneer cases, it is essential for the dental technician to have exact knowledge of the sulcus depth. Therefore, two retractions cords were placed: triple 0 (

), which remained in place during impression taking, and 0, which retracted her gingiva and was removed before the impression was finalized. A wax-up was fabricated (Figs. 2a and b), digitized and superimposed onto the clinical picture to create a digital mock-up, which was then discussed with the patient (Fig. 3).
	

 In the laboratory, thin veneers were pressed on the basis of the wax-ups using IPS e.max Press. They were stained and glazed (Fig. 4). Their thickness was about that of a human fingernail. In the mandible, we faced a different challenge.
	

Diastemas between the laterals and canines were present on both sides. The patient did not expect a dramatic change in the shade of her teeth. Her main concern was acceptable cost and the avoidance of any kind of tooth preparation. Therefore, we decided to restore her teeth with partial veneers (edge-ups). Traditional non-prep veneers would have increased the thickness of the lateral incisors and canines so they would not have been compatible with the central incisors. This would have created the need for two or three additional veneers (Fig. 5).  
	

 In the case at hand, the luting composite provided assistance. The value concept of 

 enables the clinician to make slight adjustments to the shade of the restoration. The “High Value” shades allow the shade to be lightened gradually, while with the “Low Value” shades, the overlying all-ceramic material can be made darker in stages. For permanent cementation, a solvent-free bonding agent (

 for enamel bonding) and a light-curing luting composite (


	The photographs taken one week after incorporation of the veneers showed their seamless integration into the oral environment (Figs. 10 and 11). Two of the aspects that are always mentioned as disadvantages of non-prep veneers are their bulky appearance and the resulting cervical transition between the veneer and the tooth structure, which can lead to periodontal problems in the long term. As shown in Figure 12, both issues can be controlled if the thickness of the ceramic layer is minimal and proper finishing and polishing is done. Figure 13 shows the final result after two months.

This article originally appeared in the April 2014 issue of Dental Lab Products. To check out other great products in action, 

click here to subscribe to DLP's newsletter http://bit.ly/13JeDYN.

 For quite some time, we have been hearing about minimally invasive techniques for the esthetic rehabilitation of the oral cavity. Whether a patient wishes to have stains removed, teeth bleached or the tooth shape and general appearance improved, the range of treatment options is almost unlimited.

Bench Mastery: A smile makeover ... with no tooth prep?

Division of Dental Arts Laboratories, Inc.

01. In your opinion, what makes DT Technologies unique? What was it that led Dental Arts Laboratories to form DT?

DT is unique because it was developed as an internal division to support Dental Arts Laboratories’ CAD/CAM growth. We saw the need to adapt to the changes in the industry by embracing and mastering CAD/CAM technologies and skills.

Although we started DT with a focus on our needs, we quickly found that other labs faced the same challenges as we did. Our solution has worked for these labs also, allowing our customers to continue to grow.

02. Why should a lab consider partnering with DT Technologies for their needs?

A lab should use us because we daily utilize the technology we sell, train and support. We have the experience and expertise to help out in most any situation. We have staff pushing the limits as a lab first, not just a feature to sell. Therefore, we focus on real world performance and results that help labs be efficient and successful.

different in the sea of other zirconia products?

BioZX2 stands out because of the quality of the product and the 

. They have developed a highly esthetic product from shading to translucency. They use only the top material suppliers and consistently move toward improving their products. They also have a pre-shaded, dip technique and paint on shades for any laboratories’ preference.

04. What new product categories are helping you and your customers grow in this economy?

Premium products and the ability to do more complex cases in-house. The big drivers for us are implant abutments and bars, 

 bridges for implants, chrome cobalt and fixed rate noble PFMs.

05. What new technologies are you excited about?

We are very excited about SLM and print technologies. We’re also excited about hybrid milling, printing and advances in design and scan technology to speed up workflows and add to our in-house product lines.

06. Besides the purchase cost, what should a lab consider before getting involved with CAD/CAM?

A lab should definitely look for a partner in CAD/CAM with a good aptitude to help them achieve their goals. If you have a large lab, your needs differ from a small lab and vice versa. Ask to see the equipment in production and also invest in education and talent.

07. How should a lab get started with CAD/CAM?

A lab should have a solid plan of action. It is best to ease into CAD/CAM and set development goals. Find an outsource partner to lean on for tough jobs and allow for margin for training and development.

08. What should a lab look for in a CAD/CAM partner?

Find someone you like working with. Find someone that can do the kind of work you want to put your name on. Make sure their goals on development match your own needs and make sure they are stable and investing for the future.

Teeth remain the same but the materials, techniques and technologies are evolving rapidly. It is great for skilled technicians that embrace the change and offers leverage for implementing their knowledge. I also see dental technicians embracing a role of empowerment and going farther for their customers.

10. Where do you see dental CAD/CAM going in the next five years?

I see CAD/CAM blurring the lines of manufacturers, dentists and technicians to where all are collaborators in patient treatment. I see printing and digital imaging taking a more prominent role. Also, we anticipate the price of materials and equipment going down, and the introduction of next generation materials, bio-metrics, nano resins, imaging and bioengineering.

 Ryan Johnson  Chief Technology Officer of DT Technologies, a Division of Dental Arts Laboratories, Inc.

10 Questions on DT Technologies, Dental Arts Laboratories, Inc. and CAD/CAM

	Dentists and labs looking to deliver durable, esthetic indirect restorations have plenty of options. One such option is to work with Zirlux to deliver highly esthetic, full-contour restorations.

can be prescribed for copings, crowns, bridges including long span bridges, inlays and onlays.

Zirlux full-contour zirconia is formulated to provide an alternative to a traditional PFM that exceeds both clinical and patient demand for superior esthetics, strength and function. Even the most challenging cases can be fabricated using state-of-the-art CAD/CAM technology and 

We recently spoke to both a dentist and a lab about their experience in working with Zirlux FC2. Here’s what they had to say:

What the clinician had to say about Zirlux FC2

Dr. Joseph Giovannone, DDS, of Utica, N.Y.

 has been practicing since 1980 and says:

I mostly prescribed high noble PFMs over the 30-plus years I have practiced. My experience with hand-built PFMs has been very successful, but, like most dentists, I had the occasional failure of hand-built feldspathic porcelain, some consistency issues, not to mention the ever-increasing cost of high noble alloy and labor. As my dental laboratory transitioned to digital processes, I prescribe full-contour zirconia crowns and bridges for my posterior restorations.

DLP: You didn’t initially like zirconia products. Why?

JG: It was hard as a rock and it was hard to learn to work with. I also liked to use lithium disilicate because it’s prettier. But Zirlux FC2 is catching up because they are getting more color and translucency in the material. Not quite the same as lithium disilicate, but it’s definitely closer.

DLP: What have you noticed is a benefit since you converted to using Zirlux in your cases?

JG: As dentists, we have to be aware of grinding. Bruxers of any kind will damage dental work so it’s important to get them (the patients) into nightguards. Most grinders will damage a traditional PFM crown, particularly in the posterior teeth. Zirlux zirconia holds up well against grinders. Zirconia has much more strength than lithium disilicate. I prefer the zirconia for the posterior. The front teeth take less stress so you have more options for materials.

Also, the whole CAD/CAM computer age and the technology is so accurate and efficient that the fits are great. We don’t have to do as many adjustments in the chair. This process is done more effectively, more efficiently and more accurately and the crowns are less likely to break.

Artistic digital design and esthetic zirconia milled restoration using Zirlux FC2

JG: It seems to go smoother and faster with better contact during the final fitting and you don’t have to make as many adjustments to the bite and the contact.

You can prepare the teeth the same way. There are nice shapers you can do with Zirlux though. But you still do all of the same things you used to do when you use a PFM with metal coping. So it’s not a big change. You can still do your same technique. You still do the same crown. You just adjust them less.

Biogenic Dental Corporation and Affiliates

There are an awful lot of materials on the market. I probably get a new zirconia product to try everyday in the mail as a free sample. It comes down to, ‘Does this material have the quality to do what we want it to do?’ The Zirlux FC2 system does. The Zirlux material is pre-shaded and that’s huge from a matching anterior tooth perspective. What we have found with multiple units, full mouth rehab and lower anteriors, FC2 is good for matching A1 and A2, the brighter shades. Plus with Zirlux, the fact that you are dealing with reputable companies that are interested in your business, like 

DLP: Can you please explain why this product is best for the most challenging cases?

PG: They give you a high level of strength in a posterior tooth, even more than with a PFM. Zirlux FC2 also allows for a monolithic crown. To have a monolithic crown, we can keep a 1/2mm of material and still be strong. In the case of Zirlux, we can tell the clinician to ‘stay in the enamel, prep less.’

DLP: How does Zirlux FC2 help your bottom line?

PG: A lot of laboratories have changed to using monolithic for PFMs because we are geared to do this; a monolithic crown is way more efficient and less expensive to make.

From a business standpoint, using Zirlux is a win-win situation by providing a better quality crown for the clinician and a better business model for the lab. Efficiency is paramount for a dental lab. We must make crowns for a reasonable amount. Pre-shaded Zirlux allows us to do that.

DLP: Can you explain the benefits of the simple stain and glaze technique?

PG: Since the system has five pre-shaded discs, some of the cases are going to need some added color. We can stain or glaze pretty simply.

The one thing we do is a diamond polish on any occluding surfaces after glazing. The pre-shaded quality of Zirlux becomes an important factor at this point. When you use materials that are strictly surface stained, you’ll end up with white spots and we don’t get that with Zirlux FC2.

DLP: How have the changes in the material science helped the dental lab industry perform better for clinicians?

PG: Material science is moving as fast as technology, which is important at this stage. The first materials were awful; to use the words of big advertising companies, ‘they were the beast, not the beauty.’

It’s always about quality. It’s always about the product we provide to the doctors. Today, as we have evolved … what a change in acceptance. What a change in the translucency and the appearance. The materials are evolving. We are looking forward to the next level. Products like Zirlux FC2 are only getting better.

This article originally appeared in the April 2014 issue of DLP. To learn more about current lab products, subscribe to DLP's newsletter: 

 Dentists and labs looking to deliver durable, esthetic indirect restorations have plenty of options. One such option is to work with Zirlux to deliver highly esthetic, full-contour restorations.

Real Time ROI: Zahn Dental’s Zirlux FC2 full-contour zirconia

is a fully programmable, multi-phase sintering furnace designed to give labs years of dependable service, user flexibility and consistency.

Each program parameter can be modified to address the specifications of dental zirconia, such as temperatures, delayed starts and ramp rates. The ZR furnace features Thermal Web Technology that enables the muffle to catch and reflect the infrared heat in a more diffused pattern for more even heating. The furnace uses Silicon Carbide heating rods in order to assure proper and complete zirconia sintering to ensure ideal results for a variety of indications.


	Working temperature: 1550°C (2822°F)
	30 working user-defined programs
	Designed for even heat distribution
	Start delay time of up to eight hours
	Stack up to three trays (average 60 units at a time)
	1-4 Stages
	Made in the USA by 

This article originally appeared in the April 2014 issue of Dental Lab Products. For more great articles about products in action, 

click here to subscribe to DLP's newsletter: 

 The Infinity ZR sintering furnace is a fully programmable, multi-phase sintering furnace designed to give labs years of dependable service, user flexibility and consistency.

A Better Way to Sinter

	Want your lab to move forward and reach new heights of success? 

Through their product solutions, support and education, ETI has positioned themselves as a leader in the lab industry. John Just is the Director of Technical Support and Training at ETI Digital Technology, and a dental technician with more than 40 years of experience at the bench. With so many labs eager to enter into a digital workflow, we recently talked to him about how ETI Digital Technology can help, what digital can do for labs and how a CAD/CAM system can change everything.

What kind of experience do you bring to ETI Digital Technology?

I have been a dental technician for more than 40 years, having owned my laboratory for 27 of those years. I have lectured internationally, including at universities, with regards to Digital Dentistry and using CAD/CAM in the dental laboratory. I have also led classes all over the world. My experience gives me the added advantage of being an expert in the field of digital dentistry, along with my extensive background in implantology. This gives our ETI customers and laboratory partners a peace of mind and confidence that what we sell, we stand behind.

What kind of workflow do you recommend to labs? How can they work with ETI Digital Technology to attain that workflow?

At ETI Digital Technology, we focus mainly on assisting the small- to medium-sized labs, as they have been the last to join the digital dentistry world, and it is also difficult for them to transition from their conventional workflow to a new digital workflow. I show them how easy it is to go through this transition and change, while being the same laboratory their dentists have come to work with. The hardest part is always trying to figure out what to do with the dental technician whose position has been taken over by digital dentistry. The reality is that we guide the laboratory owners to re-train, instead of lay off, their employees. To achieve this, a waxer or a metal finisher is re-trained to scan, design and mill. With their current knowledge and experience in dentistry, this makes them perfect for the new position while providing higher profitability for the overall lab business in the quickest turnaround times.

The 30 multi-die plate used to scan copings with a Dental Wings system. 

What have you seen labs achieve with the Dental Wings 7Series Scanner?

The 7Series Scanner is a full 5-axis scanner that requires no scan powder and has the ability to scan and design 30 ready-to-mill units in 15 minutes. The 7Series Scanner’s capability has so totally transformed the laboratory business that many are still in shock. The labs are not required to put all 30 units at once to utilize the multi-die scanning feature. They have the flexibility to scan and design from one to up to 30 units at once. The biggest issue is teaching a dental technician how to type! With this scanner in place, labs are also capable of providing a variety of restorations to their clients, i.e. abutments, partial frameworks, Prettau bridges, implant bars, post & cores with crowns and creating their custom anatomy very simply, without any brain strain. For many labs, this has opened many doors and opportunities they could not have imagined just a couple of years ago.

How have they been able to take a scanned file and convert it to tangible results with the Roland DWX-50 mill?

 is amazing. It’s a complete, simultaneous 5-axis, with a small footprint and doesn’t have many requirements-it goes and goes. Just a few years ago, this type of mill would have cost $60,000 to $80,000 and been a dream. However, with the Roland DWX-50 milling machine in-house, this potential has become a reality, especially when you consider all the work it can do. Depending on whose CAM software the laboratories buy (of course, we recommend the UNIQUE CAM Software I helped to develop), you can mill a full contour crown in seven-to-12 minutes, depending on the crown and the required anatomy. Our custom milling tools allow the milling machine to mill 700 crowns or copings without having to change the tools. This type of machine, with the special additions that ETI and I have brought to it, brings digital dentistry down to earth, where the laboratories realize how extremely quick the return on investment is.

How has this changed and improved labs’ workflow?

This change in workflow has allowed laboratories to go back and make money. ETI Digital Technology has helped laboratories that once only looked to see if they could pay bills to realize they can make money. We showed one lab their outsourcing bill per month was nearly $11,000. They had considered this “just the cost of doing business.” When we showed them that by bringing Dental Wings and 

 into their lab they would be putting $9,000 a month back into the lab’s income, they were amazed to the point of being speechless.

How has this changed what labs are able to accomplish?

Dental Wings and Roland now allow the small laboratories to be like the big labs but still able to offer the customer attention at a smaller lab. If needed, they now can make a crown in one day. The only limitation is the designer’s imagination and the available materials, which are changing daily and opening more opportunities and doors for the laboratories.

How does this improve labs’ bottom lines?

I’m not sure a lot of labs really look at the bottom line, but they should look at it through digital glasses. They’ll be able to at least triple a lab output without adding more employees, offer more and better prostheses without adding more employees and machinery and have more time to enjoy things in life. That’s really the main point: having more time to have a life outside the laboratory. Most lab techs are used to 12- and 16-hour days and more, but this enables them to do that same work in four-to-five hours. I would hope they would take the added time and income to enjoy life better and help their employees. A lab came to our booth in Chicago and asked some questions with regards to abutments. I showed them cases I had done and they figured they would only have to do 10 abutments a month to pay for the entire system, scanner, CAD, mill and CAM, and they are currently doing 10 or more abutments per day that they have to outsource. So they saw more units per day, more income and more profit.

How does ETI Digital Technology continue to work with labs after they’ve developed a digital workflow?

ETI Digital Technology offers continual education courses and hands-on classes in digital dentistry. We also provide co-marketing support for our laboratory partners. At ETI, once a laboratory purchases a system from us, they are not just a customer, they are our partner. Their success is equal to ours, so we are dedicated to ensure they are well-supported in ongoing marketing of their laboratory, as well as technical support. All our laboratory partners have my personal cell phone number so they are never far from an answer and technical support. Our website is filled with answers, product information and videos that I made to help in situations where a review would be needed. Our whole team takes education and training courses from our manufacturers so we are always up-to-date and knowledgeable about what we support, sell and promote with confidence.

So what’s coming up for labs in the digital world?

Seeing what is coming forward in the digital age is so exciting, especially new materials and milling advancements that you cannot even imagine. Just look at a smart phone: seven or eight years ago, to do all the things it can do today would have cost tens of thousands of dollars. The technology was not even available, and yet now we have a device that can take photos, videos, surf the web, has four or more processors inside, talk and video talk, just to name a few. Can you imagine what the future is going to bring to those laboratories that have embraced the digital age? Make a crown in an hour without using an oven or furnace; imagine a partial denture in as little 45 minutes; or bars for all-on-four ready for setting in one hour. But you don’t have to imagine-these items are here with ETI Digital Technology, Dental Wings and Roland as your partners.

This article originally appeared in the April 2014 issue of Dental Lab Products.

 Want your lab to move forward and reach new heights of success? ETI Digital Technology wants to help.

Finding a partner to help your lab reach its potential

While zirconia has been a go-to material for labs for quite some time, more and more lab techs are discovering the exciting opportunities offered by pre-shaded zirconia. This minimizes the need for exhaustive staining, and can make finishing the final restoration a snap.

With the advent of multilayered poly (methyl methacrylate), better known as PMMA, labs can now directly mill temporaries with much better esthetics, providing a longer-term option that makes patients happier while providing both dentists and labs with more flexibility when determining the best approach to a specific case.

The march toward directly printing finished teeth continues as more manufacturers begin to experiment with tooth-shaded 3D printing material. Now, a lab can “print” a fully functional temporary that looks much more lifelike than previous 3D printing options were ever able to produce.

All-ceramic lithium/glass dislicates have been a favorite of labs and dentists for a long while, and each new year brings incredible new developments. Manufacturers are figuring out how to make these options more and more esthetic, while providing excellent strength and durability.

Millable and printable metals-from precious to non-precious

More and more companies are introducing new ways to use metal. There are metal 3D printers that use selective laser sintering/melting to create metal frameworks and removables, and other manufacturers are exploring milling and SLM/SLS options using traditional noble metals like gold.

This article originally appeared in the May 2014 issue of Dental Lab Products. For more great articles about products in action, click her to subscribe to DLP's newsletter: 

Pre-shaded zirconia While zirconia has been a go-to material for labs for quite some time, more and more lab techs are discovering the exciting opportunities offered by pre-shaded zirconia. This minimizes the need for exhaustive staining, and can make finishing the final restoration a snap.