CAD/CAM - international magazine of digital dentistry

when to do what in different clinical situations. Given the number of restorative materials avail- able at your fingertips, you'll make better- educated decisions with each particular patient situation. Using the E4D Dentist system, you have access to a number of proven materials (blocks), each with either an Ivoclar Vivadent or 3M ESPE logo on it, so you know exactly what you are getting. The abundance of material op- tions allows you to select the best one for the given clinical situation. A quick review of what is available follows. _Block Party attendees Resin In the category of resin, you have the option to select the Paradigm MZ100 block from 3M ESPE. Complementingthesuccessofthedirectrestora- tive Filtek Z100, this block contains ceramic particles with an average size of 0.6 microns with cross-linked monomers that provide the ideal wear resistance, strength and radiopacity neces- sary for posterior use. I use it primarily for partial coverage restorations as well as some full cover- age restorations on implants. The use of this resin forindirectrestorationsrequiresplacementusing an adhesive cementation protocol. I personally have an onlay restored with MZ100 in my own mouth, tooth #3. When compared to conventional feldspathic porcelain restorations fabricated with chairside CAD/CAM,theParadigmMZ100restorationsshowed better colour match through ten years.1 This same study also showed no difference in margin finish, surface finish, anatomic form, caries or sensitivity. The authors actually concluded that “the com- posite inlays performed as well as the porcelain inlays with less bulk inlay fracture." In an in vitro fatigue study on occlusal veneer restorations,2 Paradigm MZ100 had significantly higher fatigue resistance (100 % survival at 185,000 cycles up to 1,400 N loads) compared to CAD/CAM feldspathic porcelain (0 % survival). Resinnanoceramic A new category for chairside CAD/CAM den- tistry is the resin nano ceramic created with the introduction of the new Lava Ultimate block. This material defines a new category, resin nano ce- ramic, which provides some unique and beneficial characteristics for us to have for chairside. We all know that 3M ESPE and its Lava brand have be- come synonymous with zirconia restorations and they’ve expanded this technology to additional digital applications. Lava Ultimate material con- tains a blend of three fillers: zirconia and silica nanoparticles agglomerated into clusters, individ- ually bonded silica nanoparticles and individually bonded zirconia nanoparticles.3 Lava Ultimate contains approximately 79 % (by weight) of this filler blend that reinforces a highly cross-linked polymeric matrix cured using a proprietary manufacturing process. The result isauniqueblockwithindicationsforchairsidefab- rication (blocks) and use. It's indicated for a full rangeofpermanent,adhesive,single-unitrestora- tions including crowns, onlays, inlays and veneers. Thematerialisideallysuitedforimplantsupported restorations(Figs.2&3)becauseofitshigh200MPa flexural strength (higher than conventional feld- spathic blocks and layering ceramic used in metal- ceramics) and relatively low modulus (compared to ceramics). From a time management standpoint, the use of resin or resin-ceramic system provides faster milling times and no need for an additional step ofsinteringorfiring.Asasignofitsfullconfidence in this new category of material, 3M ESPE is intro- ducingaunique10-yearwarrantyontheuseofthe Lava Ultimate block. The 3M ESPE Lava Ultimate block will be offered in eight shades with two translucency options (LT and HT). Figs. 2 & 3_Lava Ultimate is ideal for implant superstructures. I 07 CE article _ daily digital dentistry I CAD/CAM 1_2013 Fig. 3Fig. 2