Ultra-Translucent Zirconia

The Next Evolution in Zirconia

The new zirconia material combines the known positive properties of zirconia with a significant increase in translucency (49% translucency), making it ideal for anterior and posterior applications up to 3-unit bridgework in all tooth positions. Highly biocompatible, zirconia is the ideal restorative material for today’s dentistry, offering the translucency of a lithium disilicate while retaining the strength of zirconia (720 MPa’s). Unlike current glass ceramics, zirconia allows for a conservative feather edge preparation due to its high strength. Dentists no longer have to choose between traditional zirconia and lithium disilicate…zirconia has both strength and beauty!

Clinical Indications

Zirconia is indicated for single crowns and 3-unit bridgework in all tooth positions.

Preparation Requirements

Zirconia requires less tooth preparation than is required for lithium disilicate. Ideally, a .8 mm chamfer or rounded shoulder prep is preferred, however a feather-edge margin is acceptable with 1.0 – 1.5 mm occlusal reduction.
 

Cementation

Recent research has shown that saliva contamination can hinder the bonding of zirconia based products. When a zirconia crown or bridge is tried in the patient’s mouth and comes in contact with saliva, the phosphate groups in the saliva bind to the zirconia oxide and cannot be rinsed out with water. Attempting to use phosphoric acid (which is full of phosphate groups) to ‘clean out’ the saliva only makes the problem worse.

To successfully remove saliva, it is now suggested that after try-in and before priming, the crown should be cleaned with Ivoclean, a zirconia oxide solution from Ivoclar Vivadent. This zirconia oxide solution is placed inside the restoration for 20 seconds and then rinsed out. Due to the large concentration of free zirconia oxide in the Ivoclean, it acts as a sponge and binds to the phosphate groups that were previously bonded to the restoration.

Suggested Cementation Protocol:
1. Try-in zirconia-based restoration
2. Rinse saliva out of restoration with water
3. Place Ivoclean in restoration for 20 seconds,
rinse and dry
4. Apply primer and then cement with product of
your choice
 
Cementation Recommendations:
•Crown & Bridge  or a resin-reinforced glass ionomer cement 
• For short or over-tapered preparations, use a resin cement 

Finishing and Polishing

we recommends the ZR Kit for finishing and polishing zirconia products. This two-step system allows you to quickly achieve maximum surface smoothness, enhancing your restoration’s longevity and minimizing wear to opposing dentition.

Important: Be sure to use adequate water when adjusting.