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One of the most challenging undertakings in dentistry for both the clinician and the laboratory is a full mouth reconstruction. For patients who present with excessive wear of their dentition, a full mouth reconstruction is critical in re-establishing functional harmony, pulpal health, esthetics, and protecting the dentition from further damage.
Complex dental cases require proper treatment planning to ensure a successful outcome. These cases must consider the patient’s concerns and desired result as a starting point and then create a
One of the most common options for treating an All-On-4® case is a hybrid prosthesis. But all “hybrids” are not created equal. We are a long way from the days of the only option being a cast metal substructure with traditional acrylic and denture teeth.
Teeth play an important role in daily life. They are not just for chewing, but they also help with speaking clearly, give faces shape, and correct support. Teeth can also
Choosing the Optimal Dental Material: Zirconia vs. E.Max
Written by Andrew Sedler
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The goal of any dental restoration is to restore the patient’s oral environment back to its natural or improved appearance and functionality.
Dental materials have come a long way since porcelain fused to metal (PFM) was first introduced in the 60s. The push to provide improved materials has been driven primarily by the need to develop materials that offer improved esthetics combined with strength and durability.
Material Selection
The basic principle is to use the right dental material for every patient to have optimum results and patient satisfaction. Using the correct material helps decrease the chances of postoperative problems, which can lead to an overall negative experience of dental care.
An understanding of the attributes of different materials utilized during dental procedures allows for increased case success as well as a better overall dental experience for the patient.
Several dental materials are available in the dental industry. Two of the most prescribed materials are zirconia and lithium disilicate. Understanding when to prescribe one over the other is important in ensuring the patient receives the best option for their unique situation.
When examining the strength of the material, it is important to note that the flexural strength of monolithic zirconia is approximately 1000 MPa, while that of lithium disilicate is approximately 400 MPa.
The problem, however, lies in the esthetics of the materials and their ability to mimic natural teeth. Monolithic zirconia results in a more opaque final restoration that may not be the most esthetic option.
As a result, monolithic zirconia is often prescribed in the posterior region and not in the smile zone. Often when zirconia is prescribed in the anterior, a coping of zirconia is fabricated, and then porcelain is layered over the coping, creating a more esthetic result. However, the porcelain used to layer over the coping usually has a flexural strength of approximately 100 MPa.
The Importance of Material Translucency
It is important to ensure that whatever the situation, when matching a restoration to the oral environment or when the desire is to achieve a natural result, the contours, size, and surface texture are achieved. Both zirconia and lithium disilicate can offer excellent results. The difference in these materials lies in the way they behave with light.
Lithium disilicate, for example, comes in a wide range of translucent ingots and milling blocks.
Translucency is one of the key factors that differentiates zirconia from lithium disilicate. Both zirconia and lithium disilicate offer varying levels of translucency.
Zirconia, however, has a higher crystalline content that makes it much less translucent than lithium disilicate. The higher the translucency, the more light can penetrate the restoration. Higher translucent materials offer a more natural result that mimics natural dentition.
It is important to note that there are some instances where a lower translucent material would be better suited to achieve the desired end results.
Zirconia’s opacity can mask severely discolored situations, including metal posts and cores.
Lithium disilicate also has options that offer more opacity and mask-ability.
Cementation
A zirconia restoration can be cemented with any luting cement. The process to seat zirconia restorations is less technique sensitive. In contrast, lithium disilicate restorations are bonded to the tooth structure with a resin cement.
Lithium disilicate can be etched and bonded to the tooth, increasing the crown strength. There are a lot more steps in the bonding process, making this more technique sensitive.
ZIRMAX M
At Burbank Dental Lab, we offer a variety of options when it comes to zirconia restorations. Our ZIRMAX M brand offers a high flexural strength of 1000MPa and is one of the most durable options available.
These teeth restorations resist fracture and are long-lasting. They can be used for crowns and bridges, including long-span bridges. In addition, when the option is to layer porcelain over a substructure, this is the option used to fabricate the substructures.
When compared to other zirconias on the market, ZIRMAX M offers 25 percent more translucency.
Some of the other benefits of ZIRMAX M include:
One of the strongest all-ceramic materials
Easy to customize, making it a great option for a variety of restorative options.
Feels like natural dentition
Long-lasting
Resistant to fractures and chipping
Cementable
In addition, Burbank Dental Lab offers ZIRMAX ME zirconia. This material’s flexural strength is approximately 750 MPa. It is more suited for posterior bridges of up to 3 units and anterior bridges of up to 4 units.
This material offers more translucency than many other brands on the market. The shades have been formulated to eliminate graying in lighter shades. This is a great option if anterior monolithic restorations are desired.
E.max
Lithium disilicate, most notably recognized as the brand E.max is an excellent option when esthetics is the number one concern. E.max preserves more tooth structure in order to provide an aesthetically pleasing result; it minimizes hypersensitivity.
E.max can be monolithic and stained for optimal strength or layered to build in tooth structures. The benefits of E.max include:
Wide range of shades
Wide range of translucency levels
High strength
Years of clinical success
Preparation design is conservative
E.max is a lithium disilicate glass ceramic that can match any shade and is able to achieve a wide range of desired results.
When it comes to dental materials, there are a wide variety of options available. The two most common types are zirconia and lithium disilicate. Each material has its own set of pros and cons that make them better suited for particular situations.
When strength is the biggest concern, monolithic zirconia is a good option because it offers approximately 1000 MPa flexural strength.
However, if esthetics is your main priority, then considering using lithium disilicate may be the best option.
Contact Burbank Dental Lab today for help deciding which type of prosthetic will work best for your particular case.
Zir-MAX.M, and Zir-MAX.Me are high strength monolithic zirconias that exceed your expectations for zirconia restorations, ideal for use in full and single crowns and bridges.
IPS e.max® Product Description With over 100 million restorations, IPS e.max data shows over 97% survival rate and longitudinal evidence proves e.max to have a flexural strength of 500 MPa.
Composite restorations provide a viable, option for conservative “biomimetic” metal-free restorations. Burbank Dental Lab technicians are trained to provide ideal marginal fit, full polymerization and lifelike esthetics.
Burbank Dental Lab has three new state-of-the-art Carbon M2 printers. We are very excited about the options that these cutting-edge printers will allow us to offer our dental clients. Here are some of the advantages that these printers will begin to deliver to you and your dental practice.
Our New State-Of-The-Art 3d Printers
Carbon offers a highly dependable 3D manufacturing solution for many dental applications with its breakthrough Digital Light Synthesis™ technology, enabled by a wide range of dental materials.
Fabrication of the future is here!
Burbank Dental Lab has three new state-of-the-art Carbon M2 printers. We are very excited about the options that these cutting-edge printers will allow us to offer our dental clients. Here are some of the advantages that these printers will begin to deliver to you and your dental practice.
Our New State-Of-The-Art 3d Printers
Carbon offers a highly dependable 3D manufacturing solution for many dental applications with its breakthrough Digital Light Synthesis™ technology, enabled by a wide range of dental materials.
What Our Clients Say
“I have been working with Burbank Dental Lab for many years. They always get back to me in a timely manner whenever I have questions regarding a case. Mr. Wyoming...
“I appreciate the quality and efficiency of this lab. I especially like the turn around times for their crowns (about 5 days). Thank you for your work and I highly...
“Burbank Dental Lab’s Smile Design Group helped to transform my patient’s smile with their exceptional attention to detail and overall quality of the emax crowns. The case was a success,...
“Burbank is a terrific dental lab, I always get top-notch work and prompt, courteous customer service.Whether it’s fixed, removable, implants, veneers or anything else, I know I can rely on...
“Burbank is amazing. I am blown away by their craftsmanship. Crowns are absolutely beautiful. Patients love them. Wyoming and Jason have been great with communication. I will continue to send...
“I have been using Burbank Dental Lab for a few years now. I have been very happy with the results. The best part is that the team communicates well regarding...
“Very good service, recommended and attentive I am very grateful to the dental doctor who treated my dental problems very successfully and helped me regain my beautiful smile.”
“I have been using Burbank Dental Lab for several years now and am continually impressed with the quality of their work and their customer service! Everyone that works there is...
“I am very impressed with the attention to detail and easy communication. I use Burbank Dental Lab even though I’m on the east coast because the results are always predictably...
“I have been a client of Burbank Dental for over 20 years. Everyone from the phone operators to the techs to management is wonderful and friendly. I have done a...
“I have been using Burbank Lab for over 30 years and recommend them highly. The owner Tony is a stand-up guy with a ton of integrity and a mensch. The...
“When I want something done right, I send it to Burbank. After experiencing inconsistent quality from my previous lab partners, Burbank was highly recommended by a colleague so I gave...
“After experiencing a decline in quality and communication from our previous lab we decided to give Burbank a try based on the recommendation of several business associates. The service from...
“I am a Heartland dentist in Texas and I have been looking for a comprehensive lab that I could use for implants, removable, and fixed. I discovered Burbank a few...
“Delivery time was excellent! The fit of the screw retained implant crown including emergence profile, contacts, seating, and occlusion were perfect. Didn’t do anything but seat it and torque the...
“Absolutely gorgeous and high-quality maxillary zirconia hybrid on Ti-bases. Their lab followed my prescription exactly. Their technicians have amazing talent. Thank you, Burbank!”
“We were looking for a lab that could accept our digital scans and produce high-quality centric-relation nightguards for patients. Burbank Dental Lab was recommended by a dental school classmate. We...
Burbank Dental Lab has far exceeded all of my expectations, and has fully delivered top tier prosthodontic work. What sets this lab apart from others is the constant communication. When...
“This lab provides restorative dentists with excellent technical support and high-quality lab work at reasonable fees. Their restorations are consistently excellent both from a functional and esthetic standpoint.”
“High quality dental lab with years of experience. Very professional service and results are second to none. Whether its cosmetic work, implant work, or digital, Burbank has their act together....
“In 25 years practicing dentistry I have not delivered a better full mouth rehabilitation crowns and bridge case like the one I did today. Aesthetics, fitting, contact, and occlusion was...
“I have been using Burbank for a while now. They are the only lab I’ve worked with who delivers consistently superior results. Their esthetic and implant work is second to...
“Full Arch fixed prosthetic cases go extremely smoothly with Burbank Dental Lab and their imetric photogrammetry in-office workflow. Highly recommend this workflow for anyone doing full Arch cases. Working with...
“Great Dental Lab for removable and crown and bridge. Amazing customer service. Vince and Dmitri are very accommodating and will ALWAYS work with you. Their product is top notch!” (click...
Hi Tony, hope you’re well. I’ve sent you a before and after case of a #8 old PFM replacement – single tooth next to natural #9. (Click for photo). Also...
“Just wanted to let you all know that I retired a few years ago but I sincerely appreciated both the help and especially the great quality of the work you...
“The implant department at Burbank is amazing! They have delivered casework that has exceeded my expectations and our patients are thrilled! We switched from a local lab to Burbank; our...
“We’ve been using this lab for a few years now and we are very happy. Excellent customer service, very kind billing staff and work is always well done. Every time...
“Burbank Dental Lab has provided us with many years of high-quality work, timely service and friendly staff. Our thanks, from all of us at Westlake Dental Associates.”
“Fantastic case! I just dropped these two implant abutment/crowns in and they were perfect! Thank you!” MARGINS: Excellent CONTACTS: Excellent CONTOUR: Excellent OCCLUSION: Excellent FIT: Excellent SHADE: Excellent ESTHETICS: Excellent...
This case is the case where you sent me the samples of the acrylics for a patient who is very sensitive to different chemicals, etc. She wore each sample disc...
“What an amazing lab to work with. Each person I have encountered has been amazing. From Joel and Kenny to Laura in Accounting to Tony himself. The crowns go in...
“We have used this lab for 18 months. They have proven to be very patient and customer-centric. They produce some really nice work and are easy to work with. Cases...
“Vincent and Karen are the best! I worked with Vincent on a full mouth rehab case. Everything turned out great and the patient is very happy. Working with Vincent made...
“They were great to work with and went out of their way to make sure we received our lab case the very same day. Holly even volunteered to come personally...
“Burbank Dental Lab is our most trusted dental lab for all of our dental work. They are extremely reliable and deliver exceptional products. They are always available for questions and...
“Amazing lab! The work always comes back in a timely manner and is beautiful! Marissa is who we are lucky enough to have help us with our cases and she...
“Very nice case! This patient was very happy. My only adjustment was to reduce the excess in the ovate pontic area that was overdone.” MARGINS: Excellent CONTACTS: Excellent CONTOUR: Excellent...
“I absolutely love this lab, very quick, beautiful work, and very professional. Marissa is so much help, and has answers every single time! Wouldn’t use anyone else!”
“For more than 5 years I have sent my removable lab work to Burbank Dental Laboratory. I delivered a new FUD and new mandibular distal extension RPD with a locator...
“Implant abutment and crown – this case was great! Thank you! The pink porcelain looked great where the gingival margins needed to be leveled.” MARGINS: Excellent CONTACTS: Excellent CONTOUR: Excellent...
“This was the first crown I inserted since we talked about the contacts being tight. This crown was PERFECT!!! Absolutely no adjustments were needed! This was one of those “throw...
“As a new customer to Burbank Dental Lab, I was pleasantly surprised at the interest the staff expressed for the INDIVIDUAL needs of my patients. As an academic, my ideal...
“Burbank is an excellent lab! It is one of the most high-tech operations in the country and I have visited many of them. Tony, Andrew, and the entire team have...
Thank you Joel for an excellent job. What I really love about Joel and Vincent from Burbank Lab is that 1. They listen to the instructions and follow them. 2....
“Thank you Joel for an excellent job. What I really love about Joel and Vincent from Burbank Lab is that: 1. They listen to the instructions and follow them. 2....
“Just completed a maxillary Prettau Zirconium bridge on 5 implants and am very pleased with the service, the attention to detail, and the communication skills of this lab, in particular...
This dental lab is world renowned for high quality of their crown and bridgework. I especially appreciate their expertise in implant castings. I happen to work with a couple of...