A Multilayer That Is Multipurpose

Saving time with ArgenZ ST Super Translucent Multilayer material

Henry Martin, CDT, TE

All dental technicians look for ways to save time while improving the quality of the dental restorations they create. The first full-contour zirconia introduced to the market was very opaque and high-value with strength as its primary advantage. Now, manufacturers have expanded their product lines, giving laboratories many options. In fact, the number of choices can be a bit overwhelming.

One advantage of Argen's new ArgenZ ST Super Translucent Multilayer material is that it is multipurpose. ArgenZ ST Multilayer is suitable for single units anywhere in the mouth and three-unit bridges, bicuspids forward. It is one of the strongest super translucent zirconias, offering a flexural strength of 850 MPa compared with the industry average of approximately 650 MPa.

Other benefits of the ArgenZ ST Multilayer are its seven blended layers and availability in five sizes, including 12 mm. We find that these new multilayered discs offer a color transition from dentin to enamel that allows us to match our desirable shade tabs just by polishing the sintered restoration.

When using multilayer discs, the units do not have to fill the disc but should be at least three-quarters of the entire height of the disc. When I tested the ArgenZ ST Multilayer material, I selected a five-unit case (teeth Nos. 5, 6-8, 9) using a 16-mm disc for the three-unit restoration and a 14-mm disc for the two single units. The key to success using any multilayer disc is positioning the digital design in the CAM software so the blended layers transition properly from incisal to dentin in the restoration.

The recommended standard sintering process takes about 8 hours and reaches a temperature of 1500°C. ArgenZ ST Multilayer can also be fast-sintered; however, we chose the standard cycle for maximum esthetics and predictability due to the bridge.

Once sintering was complete, I adjusted with zirconia-specific burs and polished the restoration using a diamond paste and semisoft-bristle brush. Because the material incorporates dentin to incisal shading blended into the material, we were able to achieve an esthetic result without the use of external stains. This benefit is important to both our laboratory and the prescribing dentist. We can be confident that the color will remain stable for years without the concern of stain wearing off over time.

Key Takeaways

• The new ArgenZ ST Multilayer material gives excellent results without adding production time or compromising strength or color.
• Post-sintering finish times are minimal.
• Seven blended layers give the translucency and color that are important to the esthetics our clients demand.

About the Author

Henry Martin, CDT, TE
Owner
Restorative Arts Dental Laboratory
Charleston, SC

Manufacturer Information
Argen
argen.com
800-255-5524