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Experts at International Symposium Expound on All-Ceramics for Implant Esthetics

Posted on Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Schaan, Liechtenstein – 1 October 2012 – Ivoclar Vivadent hosted a prestigious professional education event in Berlin, Germany on September 15 where world renowned specialists discussed the topical theme of “All-Ceramics Meets Implant Esthetics.” Approximately 750 participants from 37 countries attended the International Expert Symposium and were informed by leading dental professionals on the latest materials and their clinical applications.

For example, lithium disilicate (LS2) has become the material of choice for esthetic rehabilitations, according to opinion leaders. Used in conjunction with the press and CAD/CAM techniques, this glass-ceramic for the fabrication of monolithic restorations (LS2) minimizes the risk of chipping, which is often associated with veneered ZrO2. In addition, LS2 restorations are characterized by their high bending strength (360 to 400 MPa) and highly esthetic appearance, including translucent properties.

Esthetics around the globe

Professor Dr. Nitzan Bichacho from Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel, and Dr. Arndt Happe from Münster, Germany, presented the treatment protocols that they have developed to produce highly esthetic restorations. In the process, the participants obtained many useful tips to take back to their offices. The specialists emphasized the importance of fluorescence in the gingival part of anterior teeth in implant-supported prosthetics. In contrast to ZrO2, lithium disilicate has fluorescent properties.

Andreas Kunz, an acclaimed master dental technician from Berlin, Germany, demonstrated his system for achieving customized esthetic results in edentulous patients. Mr. Kunz uses the prefabricated Phonares II teeth from Ivoclar Vivadent. These teeth take into account the high chewing forces to which implants are exposed, and they have a vital appearance. Dr. Andreas Kurbad from Viersen, Germany, showed a series of highly esthetic case pictures. He said that changing the appearance of a patient’s teeth with minimally invasive procedures and ultra-thin lithium disilicate veneers is often a life-changing experience for the patient.

Certain individual details considerably contribute to the overall esthetic picture. In this context, Dr. Yukio Kusama from Tokyo, Japan, explained the advantages and disadvantages of different abutment types. The latest designs have biomimetic features; that is, cusps in posterior teeth and mamelons in anterior teeth. August Bruguera, a recognized dental technician from Barcelona, Spain, shared the following tip: The best results with pressed LS2 abutments on titanium implants are achieved with the medium-opacity blocks.

Dr. Kenneth A. Malament from Tufts University in Boston, USA, also praised the lithium disilicate material due to its esthetics and durability. He has been using the IPS e.max-System since 2008 and has not seen a single failure.

Longer-term statistics on all-ceramics

Almost all of the experts at the symposium commented on the excellent clinical performance of all-ceramics. Professor Dr. Matthias Kern from the University of Kiel, Germany, presented clinical studies on LS2 bridges with survival rates of 89 percent after 10 years. This corresponds to the requirement of Dr. Jan Hajtó based in Munich, Germany, ie, a failure rate of only 1% per year. Furthermore, the fatigue tests of Professor Van P. Thompson from New York University, USA, showed that lithium disilicate is a very reliable material. Dr. Urs Brodbeck from the Dental Clinic North-Zurich, Switzerland presented patient cases from his 23-year experience with dental ceramics. The pictures offered visual testimony to the long-term success of dental ceramics: lasting esthetics and high marginal integrity over time with the very rare incident of discolouration or chipping.

Worldwide network for restoring smiles

Dr. Christian Coachman from São Paulo, Brazil, and Dr. Eric van Dooren from Antwerp, Belgium, together with Dr. Galip Gürel from Istanbul, Turkey, provided an additional highlight. They showed how they join forces to treat patients by taking advantage of modern means of communication, such as online meetings, video conferencing and desktop sharing, without ever having to leave their individual workplaces. The Digital Smile Design concept developed by Dr. Coachman has gained worldwide recognition.

Lively exchange with esteemed experts

On the day preceding the symposium, six specialists discussed their work and provided insightful perspectives at a roundtable discussion. Together with Armin Ospelt, Head of Global Marketing at Ivoclar Vivadent, they answered the questions of the audience in an animated panel discussion.

Josef Richter, Member of the Ivoclar Vivadent Corporate Management and Chief Sales Officer, promised that the dialogue with leading international experts would continue. An international symposium will be held every two years from now on in a different European venue each time.

Source: Ivoclar Vivadent







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