Comprehensive Metal-Free System That’s Scientifically Proven

By George W. Tysowsky, DDS, MPH

Dentists and laboratory technicians often have been challenged to combine incompatible materials like metal with metal-ceramic or zirconia with zirconia layering ceramic in a synergistic way. Fortunately, dental material advancements make it possible to achieve accuracy, fit, precision, strength, and esthetics in restorations placed in the anterior and posterior, even if different materials must be combined.

The key is incorporating materials intended for systematic use and fabrication of restorations for combination cases. For example, cases requiring different types of restorations in different parts of the mouth, and with different esthetic and strength requirements (e.g., veneers, crowns, bridges) can be treated with a restorative system that incorporates lithium disilicate glass ceramic, yttrium-stabilized zirconium oxide, a fluorapatite veneering glass-ceramic, and a nano-fluorapatite glass-ceramic (IPS e.max, Ivoclar Vivadent, Amherst, NY).

Numerous published cases over the past few years demonstrate the anecdotal success that’s been realized using restorations fabricated from IPS e.max materials. However, nothing confirms the strength and long-term success of this restorative material system than the in vivo clinical and in vitro laboratory studies that have been conducted.

Since the IPS e.max System was introduced, approximately 40 million restorations have been fabricated. Additionally, more than 20 clinical in vivo studies and even more in vitro studies have been undertaken. Such evidence-based research can allow dentists and laboratories to confidently recommend IPS e.max restorations to their colleagues and patients.

Highlights of the research include the following:

• Survival rates of IPS e.max Press (6 studies), IPS e.max CAD (6 studies) and IPS e.max ZirCAD (8 studies) have been combined that’s more than 20 studies!
• Data covering a period of up to 5 years of clinical use for IPS e.max ZirCAD and up to 10 years of clinical use for IPS e.max Press or CAD.
• A total of 1071 restorations from 20 clinical studies were included.
• The resulting overall survival rate for IPS e.max restorations is 96.8%.

Lithium disilicate (IPS e.max Press and IPS e.max CAD) and its corresponding zirconia oxide (IPS e.max ZirCAD), nano-fluorapatite glass-ceramic (IPS e.max ZirPress), and fluorapatite glass ceramic (IPS e.max Ceram) represent a combined restorative system for high strength and esthetic restorations to satisfy treatment requirements anywhere in the mouth. As a result, the IPS e.max System offers specific advantages to dentists, laboratory ceramist/technicians, and patients. The availability of a unified restorative system represents a metal-free, durable, esthetic, and strong alternative to conventional restorations and PFMs.

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