Zirconia And The Growth Of CAD/CAM Dentistry

Zirconia: Achieve natural, long-lasting esthetics

Otherwise known as zirconium dioxide, zirconia has the potential to be processed to possess a tooth-like translucency. This esthetic promise, combined with its strength and biocompatibility,

 have helped to make zirconia a viable, long-lasting solution for dental restorations.

The ability of this material to be built up in a multi-layered manner is what allows for restorations to emulate the translucency and color gradation of natural dentition. Zirconia’s superior level of bending strength and similar fracture toughness, in comparison to other ceramic-based materials, have made it an extremely popular choice in dental labs worldwide.

This hasn’t always been the case. Early generations of ceramic restorative materials faced issues. They were either too weak or in the case of some newer, high-strength ceramic materials, unable to be processed by conventional technologies and methods. To provide patients with restorations that were both functional and visually pleasing, the methods of manufacturing and handling these materials needed to be rethought.

The development of dental CAD/CAM technology

The 1983 introduction of the Procera method represented a milestone in dental CAD/CAM technology, as it automated the manufacturing of prosthetic dental components. Developed by Dr. Matts Andersson, the repeatable, high-precision fabrication of individualized dental prosthetics at an industrial scale was now possible.

Nobelpharma – the precursor to Nobel Biocare – acquired Procera in 1988 and, in the following year, released the first-ever ceramic CAD/CAM coping. The ability to provide durable, metal-free restorative solutions that blend naturally with surrounding teeth, once considered to be a nonstarter, suddenly seemed achievable.

Since these early days, dental CAD/CAM tools have continued to advance in both sophistication and acceptance by the dental industry. By standardizing procedures, CAD/CAM technologies have been shown to be capable of creating high-quality manufactured components.

Though these technologies offer increased speed, accuracy and consistency over conventional laboratory processing methods,dental CAD/CAM workflows can also be broken down into separate phases. This allows for greater customization and movement between digital and analog workflows for the user depending on their needs and level of expertise. In addition, the enhanced laboratory-clinician collaboration and data sharing that CAD/CAM software offers helps labs to stay up-to-date with changes easier than ever.

Zirconia and CAD/CAM

CAD/CAM’s integration into dental laboratory workflows has been driven in part by the increasing adoption of zirconia as a metal substitute. This relationship does not only go one way, however. Advances in dental CAD/CAM technology have been crucial for the development of high-strength ceramics.

The improved mechanical properties of current forms of zirconia, combined with their excellent natural esthetics, have helped to make this ceramic an increasingly popular option.Without CAD/CAM technologies, well-fitted prostheses using these materials would be extremely difficult to fabricate due to the material’s increased flexural strength and fracture toughness. CAD/CAM dental labs are able to design, mill and stain/glaze robust zirconia restorations in a controlled and predictable manner, leading to less stress for all involved. It is clear that CAD/CAM is integral to the continued success of zirconia as a restorative material