by Dental Advisor | Jul 14, 2017
Introduction:
BruxZir Anterior is a highly esthetic zirconia designed for anterior and posterior indirect restorations. BruxZir Anterior has a flexural strength of 650 MPa with translucency and color similar to natural dentition. In comparison to monolithic glass ceramic restorations, BruxZir Anterior requires less tooth reduction due to its superior flexural strength and it is gentle on the opposing natural dentition. Only 0.8 mm of reduction is required in most cases, although 1.25 mm is ideal, allowing for conservative tooth preparation. Indications include single-unit crowns, three-unit bridges with one pontic and implant crowns.
Clinical Evaluation Protocol:
At two years, 278 restorations were available, including anterior and posterior single crowns, implant crowns and three-unit bridges (Figures 1 and 2). Of the posterior crowns, 95% were 1st and 2nd bicuspids, and 5% were 1st or 2nd molars. All restorations were fabricated by Glidewell Laboratories.
Consultant Comments after Placement
- “The crown is beautiful.”
- “The patient’s crowns look really natural.”
- “I have done several 6-8 units of BruxZir Anterior crowns and they all look awesome – the patients are very happy.”
Clinical Results
Restorations were evaluated in the following areas: esthetics, resistance to fracture/chipping, resistance to marginal discoloration, and wear resistance on a 1-5 scale: 1=poor, 2=fair, 3=good, 4 = very good, 5=excellent. Of the 278 restorations, 38% had been in function for up to 12 months, 24% for up to 18 months, 34% for up to 24 months, and the remaining 4% for more than 24 months (Figure 3). Ninety-five percent of restorations rated received a rating of 5 or excellent for esthetics (Figure 4). Of the remaining 14 restorations (5%), the majority (11 restorations) received a rating of 4 while the remaining three restorations received a rating of 3. One bicuspid restoration experienced a lingual cusp fracture and another exhibited a mesiodistal cuspal crack. A third bicuspid exhibited excessive microleakage and the restoration was replaced. The mircoleakage is a function of the cement and not the ceramic. At least 99% of restorations received a rating of 5 or excellent for resistance to fracture/chipping, resistance to marginal discoloration and wear resistance.
Summary
At two years, more than 300 BruxZir Anterior restorations had been placed and 278 were available for recall. BruxZir Anterior received excellent ratings in the areas of esthetics, resistance to fracture/chipping, resistance to marginal discoloration, and wear resistance. BruxZir Anterior is recommended for use in anterior restorations and selected posterior restoration. Its flexural strength surpasses most silica-based ceramic materials available to the dental profession. At two-year recall, BruxZir Anterior received a clinical performance rating of 99%.
by Dental Advisor | Nov 6, 2009
Consultants’ Comments
Description
Snap-Stone is a fast-set stone highly recommended for fabricating custom trays for whitening, vacu-form temporaries, and study models. Snap-Stone is a high strength stone compatible with all types of impression materials. It is available in a pink color in envelopes, canisters, or cartons. Six laboratories and 11 consultants evaluated Snap-Stone over a six-month period. This product received a 92% clinical rating.
Product Features
Snap-Stone provides an accurate working model in 5 minutes and has an adequate early high compressive strength within 15 minutes. It has an extremely fast setting time and short working time (60-90 seconds). Snap-Stone performs well as an alternative to stones currently being used when a high-strength model is needed in a short period of time. The strength, surface quality and resistance to abrasion were all rated as excellent. The fast setting time was appreciated by all consultants. After learning to work with the material, all consultants felt that Snap-Stone would have a place in their daily dental practice. It is an invaluable material for study models and repair models, which benefit from not waiting for stone to set. A majority of consultants and laboratories stated that they would both purchase and recommend Snap-Stone.Editors’ Note: The original evaluation was published in THE DENTAL ADVISOR Plus, Vol. 7, No. 1, January-February 1997.
