VITA LUMEX AC: Universal firing stability for long-span titanium frameworks

Tsai-Lien Shih, Dental Technician and Technical Director,
Changhua, Taiwan

Dental Technician and Technical Director of Chuang Yi Dental Lab (Changhua, Taiwan) Tsai-Lien Shih, is a tireless seeker of the latest innovations to offer his customers even more sophisticated restorations. He is not afraid to invest in technology and particularly in his employees. At the Chuang Yi Dental Lab, professional development is viewed as critical, and the work as a hands-on living process. New fabrication processes and materials are always tested with great enthusiasm. And they only become part of the daily laboratory routine after they prove their worth. Shih is objective but also rigorous. He has been veneering titanium frameworks for some time now, using the leucite-reinforced glass ceramic VITA LUMEX AC for bridges and long-span restorations on implants. With this universal veneering ceramic, AC stands for all-ceramic. However, the leucite-reinforced glass ceramic is also suitable for titanium. And how! In this interview, Shih explains how he, his employees and his customers can benefit from this new combination of materials.

In general, why do you use titanium for framework structures? What are the benefits of the material in clinical use?

Choosing titanium as a material is also an economic decision. The price of gold and other metal alloys can vary widely. The price of titanium is stable, and the material itself is inexpensive. From implantology, we know that titanium is biocompatible and clinically proven. Titanium offers me the stability that I need, particularly in the case of bridge constructions. In my experience, the adhesion of the VITA LUMEX AC veneering ceramic to titanium is excellent.

Titanium framework for a patient restoration in the esthetic zone.

You also use titanium frameworks in particular for long-span, all-on-4 restorations. What are the advantages of the metal in this particular case?

Since implants are also made of titanium, I have a secure screw connection and precise seating. The titanium framework offers me the necessary stability, since it is not completely rigid like zirconia, for example, but has a certain elasticity. This allows strong masticatory forces to be absorbed. Another important point is that titanium frameworks are much lighter when compared directly with zirconia, which increases wearing comfort considerably.

The completed restoration before seating in the patient's mouth.

What are the benefits of the firing stability of VITA LUMEX AC for long-span work of this kind?

In the case of such full-jaw restorations, the firing stability is incredibly important for efficient work. Thanks to the outstanding firing stability of VITA LUMEX AC, less layering and firing is generally required than with other low-fusing veneering ceramics on the market. I have never experienced cracks with VITA LUMEX AC, even in the case of thick opaque layers. Once cracks develop, bringing them under control is very time-consuming and often difficult.

Application of VITA LUMEX AC OPAQUE.

How does VITA LUMEX AC meet the esthetic requirements on titanium? How do you judge the stability of morphology and shade after firing?

Following the opaque, I use VITA LUMEX AC FLUO INTENSE materials that allow me to control the fluorescence individually from within, making it much easier to achieve highly esthetic results. With VITA LUMEX AC, morphology and shade are absolutely stable even after four or five firing cycles. With VITA SYSTEM 3D-MASTER, the shade fidelity after firing is excellent. With VITA classical A1-D4, the ceramic materials seem a little warmer to me, which can suit Asian hues.

The veneering ceramic system offers all facets to enable natural reproduction of the hard tooth substance.

In general, how has VITA LUMEX AC improved the workflows in your laboratory? What would you miss if you didn't have this veneering ceramic?

Obviously, the firing stability gives my employees confidence, and me too. Anything that is layered essentially comes out of the furnace as well. Particularly the option of applying thicker layers makes the procedure very efficient. In my laboratory, the veneering ceramic is the material of choice on titanium frameworks, and the universal application on all standard ceramic frameworks is also a real financial advantage.

The firing and shade stability of VITA LUMEX AC is the basis for outstanding esthetics.

Are you interested? Click here and find out more: