Two of the many factors to consider when partnering with a quality cosmetic dental lab is the quality of the work performed as well as the types of materials used for specific cases. At Treasure Dental Lab we offer a variety of materials from premier providers so that each cosmetic case has the greatest chance of a successful completion, and results in a satisfied customer. For over a decade now we have been using Zirkonzahn zirconia as a material of choice for restorations.
Prettau Zirconia
We all want strong restorations that will look aesthetically pleasing and will have minimum failures. For this reason, we use the highly translucent Prettau Zirconia. This is used in conjunction with a specialized coloring technique that eliminates the use of veneer ceramics in the functioning area. In this way aesthetically pleasing full-zirconia restorations, i.e. the ‘Prettau Bridge’ can be realized. This is especially important when it comes to implant dentistry.
In cases of limited available space or restorations with tissues flanges, Prettau Zirconia comes into a world of its own. From single crowns to full-mouth reconstruction, this is the material of choice.
The Prettau Bridge
Implant-bone prostheses are exposed to much higher occlusal loads than conventional bridges due to the lack of periodontal load receptors. This may lead to occlusal veneer porcelain chipping. The so-called ‘Prettau Bridge’ provides a new way for dealing with such situations. In the process of making a bridge of this kind a full setup is produced first. This is tried in epoxy and checked for function. Once the function text is passed with the epoxy, then the setup is copied in Zirconia with our milling system. We use the extra translucent Prettau Zirconia for such cases. The final cosmetic restoration is made of 100% Zirconia. Only the facial of the anterior teeth and a soft-tissue flange is veneered with porcelains of various shades. Full Zirconia bridges display tremendous flexural strength that helps to minimize failures.
Is Prettau Zirconia Too Hard or Abrasive?
In Dentistry, abrasion means the loss of tooth substance due to friction. Enamel and dentin are part of the so-called ‘hard’ tooth structure. Abrasion in this context translates into wear or attrition.
As you may know from nature, elephants starve to death at the age of 50-60 years because their dentition at that stage is too abraded to process food. Sintered Prettau Zirconia, owing to its own special material composition, displays incredible density and smoothness. Therefore, the material does not cause any wear on dentition.
This phenomenon can be illustrated with the following example: Rub wood against a smooth glass pane and nothing will happen, but rub wood against wood and it will splinter. As two materials of the same type meet (tooth against tooth), natural dentition will inevitably wear. However, when natural tooth meets smooth Zirconia (like the wood against the glass) no abrasion occurs. The abrasive nature of ant material is determined by its degree of surface polish and inherent density. The “softer” enamel will glide over polished, much harder Zirconia without wear.
By contrast, veneer porcelain (or even metal) will cause wear on natural dentition due to its highly-porous structure that acts like sandpaper.
Veneer porcelain is 1000times more abrasive than polished Prettau Zirconia.
Our experiences with Zirconia vindicate our view. Zirconia causes practically no abrasion to natural dentition.
In the past, we have observed the facts in our own environment. Additionally, they have been tested in several universities. In general terms, we can say this: The harder and smoother a material the less wear it causes under friction. Wear results in abrasion.
