In mid-October 2024, our seventh TEAM Talk was all about pressed ceramics - a material that has been used in dentistry for over 35 years. And even though it seemed to have fallen out of focus in recent years, it quickly became clear: pressed ceramics are anything but a dying breed. They are still an important option for restorative teams who rely on aesthetically sophisticated yet stable solutions.
Pressed ceramics: proven properties, modern potential
As always with our TEAM talks, the round was opened with an introductory lecture. Has pressed ceramic really lost its place or just the focus? Pressed ceramic continues to play a key role in everyday prosthetics. Lithium silicate ceramics in particular impress with their excellent mechanical properties:
- high bending strength
- high fracture toughness
- excellent biocompatibility and minimal plaque accumulation
- aesthetic flexibility through natural translucency and polychromatic color gradients
Long-term clinical studies show that pressed ceramic restorations are still stable and aesthetically convincing even after more than ten years.
Old meets new: Pressing meets CAD/CAM
Another exciting aspect of the TEAM talk was the combination of press technology with CAD/CAM workflows. Long perceived as two separate worlds, both technologies complement each other excellently in the field of press technology. Minimizing sources of error, increasing accuracy of fit, all of this is possible. Example: trix™print² (DEKEMA). Here, the pressed object is first printed and then pressed - a method that is both more efficient and more predictable. And even if zirconium oxide plays the main role in many areas, it became clear that pressed ceramics are hard to beat in terms of aesthetics and minimally invasive preparation. Particularly in hybrid solutions, e.g. in combination with zirconium oxide caps, pressed ceramics open up possibilities that combine the best of both worlds.
For all those who missed the TEAM Talk: The video recording is now available on demand.
Challenges and Solutions: Greying and Processing
But pressed ceramics also have their challenges. A recurring theme of the evening was greying. A problem that is often due to improper processing or incorrect color determination. The solution? This is precise color selection and the direct involvement of the patient in the color selection process. The professional processing of pressed ceramics also remains a challenge, because errors in the heat exposure or post-processing can lead to fractures or surface problems. And so the TEAM Talk showed once again that regular training and constant exchange are essential in order to stay up to date with the latest technology and to fully exploit the potential of modern materials.
Pressed ceramics – a long-running product with a future
After the discussion with numerous practical examples, the conclusion of the evening was clear: Press ceramics remain an integral part of the prosthetic repertoire. The constant development of materials and processing technologies ensures that this material will continue to be a relevant and versatile option in 2024 - be it for aesthetically demanding restorations in the anterior tooth area or as part of hybrid restorations with zirconium oxide. Press ceramics impress with their long-term stability, aesthetic flexibility and wide range of possible applications.
Further points of discussion
- Adhesive Fixation: The mix of different fastening materials has simplified the workflow, but also brought with it new challenges.
- Color measurement systems: Smart systems provide valuable data, but they do not replace the trained eye of an experienced dental technician.
- Training: Without continuous training and professional exchange, you quickly fall behind developments.
Additional information
- Zarone et al. BMC Oral Health (2019)
- Pietursson et al. Clin Oral Impl Res. (2021)
- Materials Science Compendium "Dental Ceramics"
- Matisse color system
- eLAB color system
TEAM Talk: A forum for everyone
The great thing about the TEAM Talk is the mix of participants. Their different backgrounds ensure a wide variety of perspectives. This creates a dynamic dialogue that is characterized by neutrality and objectivity and at the same time is relevant to practice and the laboratory. We are already looking forward to the next talk - on November 20, 2024 - a TEAM Talk special with IRENA Sailer and VINCENT Fehmer.
