September 16, 2011

Thinking lithium for the best restorations

Lithium disilicate offers great strength without sacrificing aesthetic value

The IPS e.max system lithium disilicate ceramic (LS2) clearly demonstrates you can achieve aesthetics and strength in a successful combination.

Particularly true in single-tooth restorations, this innovative ceramic, while two and a half to three times stronger than other glass-ceramics, consistently produces aesthetically pleasing results.

Lithium disilicate indication spectrum ranges from thin veneers (0.3 mm) and minimally invasive inlays and onlays to partial crowns, full crowns and three-unit anterior bridges. And, of course, implant superstructures can also be produced with this material.

Due to its high strength (360 – 400 MPa), restorations fabricated with this lithium disilicate can be cemented with the different methods we have spoken of previously.

With their natural-looking colour and optimal light transmission, lithium disilicate restorations offer highly aesthetic solutions that never fail to achieve a highly satisfactory outcome.

Depending on the needs of your patient, restorations can be veneered with a highly aesthetic material or they can be fabricated to full contour and then economically characterized.

Even if the tooth’s core is dark in colour (e.g., discoloured stump or titanium abutments), you no longer have to resort to zirconium oxide or metal-ceramic solutions.

You can tell your lab about the colour that needs to be masked and we will choose the appropriate IPS e.max lithium disilicate material that will meet the required opacity to restore the natural aesthetic appearance of the tooth.

As always, I welcome your comments on any subject we discuss here. Feel free to welcome to leave a comment here or find me on social media:

Biterite on Twitter

Biterite on Facebook

 

Image courtesyof: Bill Longshaw

More blog posts