Zirconia-Based Ceramics: Material Properties,

Esthetics, and Layering Techniques of a New

Veneering Porcelain, VM9

Edward A. McLaren, DDS*

Russell A. Giordano II, DMD, DMedSc**

I n the search for the ultimate esthetic

restorative material, many new all-ceramic
systems have been introduced to the mar-
ket1–3; the use of all-ceramic materials is increasing
frameworks for single crowns and some short
fixed partial dentures (FPD) at the UCLA School
of Dentistry and Boston University, the authors
have yet to encounter a single failure. Three-year
at almost an exponential rate. Ceramics offer the data from studies in Germany and Switzerland,
potential for excellent esthetics, biocompatibility, where zirconium-core technology was developed,
and long-term stability.1–3 One material currently of are now emerging; these report no fractures of
great interest is zirconia. Zirconia is the strongest the zirconia frameworks.5
and toughest ceramic material available for use in Zirconia frameworks are available from several
dentistry today.4 Zirconia has the potential to allow computer-aided design/manufacturing (CAD/CAM)
for the use of reliable, multiunit all-ceramic restora- systems, such as Vita YZ from CEREC inLab (Sirona,
tions for high-stress areas, such as the posterior re- Bensheim, Germany), Lava (3M/ESPE, Seefeld, Ger-
gion of the mouth. many), Cercon (Dentsply/Degussa, York, PA, USA),
Although still too new to have generated 5- and Procera Zirkon (Nobel Biocare, Göteborg, Swe-
and 10-year studies, in 2 years of using zirconia den). In addition to new framework materials, ve-
neering porcelains are being engineered with fine
* Associate Professor; Director, UCLA Center for Esthetic
microstructures to improve the clinical benefits for
Dentistry, UCLA School of Dentistry; and private practice the patient. Concomitantly, the microstructures cre-
limited to prosthodontics and esthetic dentistry, ate improved optical properties that more closely
Los Angeles, California, USA.
** Associate Professor and Director of Biomaterials, Boston
mimic the properties of natural teeth (Figs 1 and 2).
University, Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, The understanding of color science relative to teeth
Massachusetts, USA. has improved in recent years, as some manufactur-
Correspondence to: Dr Edward A. McLaren, UCLA School of
Dentistry, Room 33-021 CHS, PO Box 951668, Los Angeles,
ers have improved shading to be able to more
CA 90095-1668, USA. closely replicate the shades of natural teeth.6

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Fig 1 Section of natural tooth displays opalescence, fluorescence, and iridescence under specialized light.

Fig 2 Section of veneered natural tooth with VM9 displays similar natural tooth optics.

VM9 (Vident/Vita, Brea, CA) is one such material by the minor components. If the right amount of
with a fine microstructure and improved optics; it is component is added, one can produce a fully sta-
specifically designed to be used on Vita YZ zirco- bilized cubic phase—the infamous cubic zirconia
nia but has a thermal expansion coefficient to jewelry. If smaller amounts are added, 3 wt% to 5
match other zirconia materials such as Lava, Cer- wt%, a partially stabilized zirconia is produced. The
con, and Zirkon. The purpose of this article is to tetragonal zirconia phase is stabilized, but under
discuss the material properties of the new zirconia stress, the phase may change to monoclinic, with a
core systems, esthetic optimization of core design subsequent 3% volumetric size increase. This di-
and use of core bonding agents, and the material mensional change takes energy away from the
properties and specialized esthetic veneering tech- crack and can stop it in its tracks. This is called
nique of a new porcelain specifically designed for “transformation toughening” (Fig 3). Also, the vol-
solid-sintered zirconia frameworks. ume change creates compressive stress around the
particle, which further inhibits crack growth.
Natural teeth often contain many cracks in the
MATERIAL PROPERTIES AND enamel, which do not propagate through the en-
FABRICATION TECHNIQUES tire tooth. These cracks can be stopped by the
unique interface at the enamel-dentin junction.7
Zirconia (ZrO2) is an oxidized form of the zirconium The ability to stop the cracks as they enter the zir-
metal, just as alumina (Al2O3) is an oxidized form conia core structure mimics the effect seen in natu-
of aluminum metal. Zirconia may exist in several ral teeth. Furthermore, the core may be able to re-
crystal types (phases), depending on the addition sist high-stress areas internally, such as sharp line
of minor components such as calcia (CaO), magne- angles in the tooth preparation, grinding damage
sia (MgO), yttria (Y2O3), or ceria (CeO2). These during internal adjustment, and stresses generated
phases are said be stabilized at room temperature by chewing or thermal changes in the mouth.

100 QDT 2005

 Zirconia-Based Ceramics

Transformation Toughening Transformation Toughening

Crack
Partially stabilized
Crack stopping
crystal phase change
Volume increase
3% Volume Increase
Energy transfer
Compressive stress
Stress Microcracks

Tetragonal Monoclinic

Fig 3a Phase change from a tetragonal-shaped crystal Fig 3b Closing of microcracks because of the crystal
to a monoclinic form of crystal. volume increase caused by the phase change.

YZ Zirconia
Cercon
InCeram Zirconia
Procera Alumina
InCeram Alumina
InCeram Spinel
Empress 2
Empress 1
Omega 900
VM9
Conventional
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200

Mean flexural strength (MPa)

Fig 4 Flexural strengths of various ceramic core systems. Fig 5 CEREC inLab, Cercon, and Lava systems.
Note the high strength of the two zirconia systems tested.

Transformation toughening helps give zirconia range from about 2 to 4 hours. This approach has
its excellent mechanical properties: high flexural an advantage in that no post-milling sintering is re-
strength—900 MPa to 1.2 GPa—and toughness— quired. There is no shrinkage; what you see is what
7 to 8 MPa·m–0.5 (Fig 4). Other beneficial proper- you get. The obvious drawback is the extended
ties include good biocompatibility.8,9 The mechani- milling time and wear of the milling burs.
cal properties may allow for decreased coping Another approach is to mill a partially fired zir-
thickness and connector sizes, helpful because conia block. The blocks are about 50% dense. Be-
tooth reduction is often less than desired. Also, it cause they are only partially fired, the blocks are
may be possible to make longer-span FPD frame- weak but easy to mill. However, the milled frame-
works of four, five, or six units. work must be fired for 6 to 8 hours to increase the
Several dental laboratory milling systems (Fig density of the restoration. A large amount of
5) are designed to fabricate frameworks from a shrinkage occurs, and this must be compensated
zirconia-containing material. There are two basic for during the milling process (Fig 6). Oversized
approaches to using near 100% zirconia. One is frameworks are fabricated, relying on a computer
to mill 100% dense, sintered zirconia directly. This to enlarge the pattern correctly to compensate for
approach requires a rigid milling unit, which trans- shrinkage and provide a reliable fit. Each block has
lates to a large, heavy machine, as it is difficult to a barcode containing the density for that block.
machine dense zirconia. Mill times for a coping The milling system then computes the proper de-

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 McLAREN/GIORDANO

Fig 6 Vita YZ block after machining

but before complete sintering (top),
and the same framework after com-
plete sintering. Note the significant
shrinkage.

Fig 7 Scanning electron micrograph

of the VM9 material demonstrates
the fine grain structure. Fine mi-
crostructures correlate directly to
greatly reduced abrasion potential
of these types of materials.
6 7

gree of oversizing needed to compensate for the determinants of “enamel wear kindness” are sur-
shrinkage to full density. Thus, the homogeneity of face finish and microstructure.12 Porcelain with a re-
the block and density measurement is a key to the fined structure should produce a wear-kind sur-
success of this approach. Vita YZ, Cercon, and face, which is easily polished or glazed. Older-style
Lava take this approach, which is somewhat similar porcelains with coarse structures may produce
to the Procera technique in that compensation for rougher surfaces, which might wear opposing
shrinkage of the oversized framework must be per- enamel at an accelerated rate. It is also important
formed. All of these materials are about 95% zirco- to properly sinter (fire) the veneering porcelain, as
nia, with the rest made up of yttria and some natu- even fine-grained but underfired porcelain is
ral impurities. rougher and thus more abrasive.13
In the authors’ tests, restorative materials were
fabricated into rectangular sections 2 mm 3 10
MATERIAL TESTING, VM9 VENEERING mm 3 16 mm. Enamel pieces were sectioned from
PORCELAIN freshly extracted teeth and loaded into a holder to
create an overall size equivalent to the restorative
VM9 is a newly released veneering porcelain de- samples. Enamel pins were trephined from freshly
signed for these zirconia frameworks. VM9 is the extracted teeth. A modified toothbrush abrasion
latest in a series of Vita veneering materials with a system was used to mount the pins on a brass rod.
refined particle size (Fig 7). Ceramics processing The enamel pins contacted the test materials. A
literature shows that reduction of particle size in a load of 400 g was applied to the pin. The system
ceramic generally increases the strength and was run at 160 cycles/min for 60,000 cycles under
toughness of the material.10 There are other clini- water. The load and cycling parameters represent
cal benefits as well; these include improved wear a common value determined from an extensive lit-
kindness and polishability.11 Research on the prop- erature search on wear testing of dental restorative
erties of veneering porcelains, ceramics, and resin materials. Restorative samples were polished using
composites is ongoing in the laboratory of one of a series of diamond wheels and pastes.
the authors as part of a comprehensive analysis of The results shown in Fig 8 demonstrate the low
mechanical properties, surface finish, polishability, enamel wear for the refined new veneering porce-
and wear of various restorative materials. lains—VM7, VM9, and materials with fine crystal
Wear in the oral cavity is a complex process de- structures, such as Omega 900 (Vita) and MkII
pendent on the load applied to the teeth and en- CEREC blocks. In Fig 9, the data displayed have
vironmental factors that interact with the specific been normalized with respect to enamel. The wear
restorative material and the patient’s enamel, ratio attempts to include both material and enamel
which varies from person to person. Two major loss and compensate for differences in enamel

102 QDT 2005

 Zirconia-Based Ceramics

1.4
2.5 1.2
Volume loss (mm3)

2 1

Ratio
0.8
1.5
0.6
1 0.4
0.2
0.5
0
ha sse Sign 00 MKII el 7 9 pa
r
tio
n
10
0
0 Alp Fine d. a9 am VM VM fts ea Mz
el a eg En So Cr
7 KII 0 0 9 n
VM eatio ftsp 00ar gn se lph
a Vit Om
VM M z1 am ga 9 d.Si ines
M Cr So En e F aA
Om Vit Enamel loss >1 Material loss >1

Fig 8 Wear of the opposing enamel from the various Fig 9 Normalized wear values of the various veneer
test materials. The red bar represents enamel wear materials. The left half of the graph represents increas-
against enamel. Everything to the left of the red bar ing abrasiveness of enamel and less attrition of the test
represents enamel worn less than enamel wore enamel. material relative to enamel. The right half of the graph
represents increasing attrition of the test material and
less abrasiveness of enamel.

Softspar
0.5
Ceramco 2
0.45
LFC
Roughness (microns)

0.4
Before All-Ceram
0.35
After Alpha
0.3
Creation
0.25
Finesse
0.2
d.Sign
0.15
VM9
0.1
VM7
0.05
Omega 900
0
9 7 n se pa
r 0 ign II 0
VM VM tio es fts 90 MK 10 0 50 100 150 200
Cr
ea Fin So e ga d.S Mz
Om Flexural strength (MPa)

Fig 10 Mean roughness data of test materials before Fig 11 Flexural strength of the various veneering
and after testing. There is a close correlation between porcelains.
roughness and abrasiveness.

samples. Wear ratios closest to 1 indicate wear other veneering materials. Porcelains were mixed
that most simulates enamel versus enamel. Again, using a standard water:powder ratio and vibrated
fine-structured porcelains have values close to that into silicone molds to form standardized bars 2 mm
achieved with natural human tooth enamel against 3 4 mm 3 25 mm. The bars were condensed and
enamel. The mean roughness value for each mate- fired according to the manufacturer’s recommenda-
rial was measured before and after wear testing tions. Ten bars per group were tested in three-point
(Fig 10). The roughness data describe both the flexure using an Instron universal testing machine
smoothness of the surface that may be achieved (Canton, MA, USA) with a cross-head speed of 0.5
during polishing as well as material resistance to mm/min, and strength values were automatically
surface abrasion during clinical service. Increased calculated using the standard formula for three-
plaque accumulation may occur as the restoration point bending contained in the Instron software (Fig
surface becomes rougher during clinical service. 11). Compared to other veneering materials, those
Roughness values also correlate well with materials with a refined particle size, such as VM9, VM7, and
with a fine microstructure. Omega 900, have values significantly higher than
As part of the analysis of new materials, strength those of other porcelains in a similar class.
testing of VM9 was conducted and compared to

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 McLAREN/GIORDANO

Figs 12a and 12b Before and after

views of a PFM restoration with a
Captek substrate (Captek/Precious
Chemicals, Altamonte Springs, FL).
12a 12b

Fig 13 Comparison of 0.3-mm zir-

conia core sample against 0.8-mm
Empress veneer (Ivoclar Vivadent,
Amherst, NY) demonstrates similar
or greater translucency in the dimen-
sions that are actually used. Note:
the black line and white background
show through more on the Lava
sample on the right than on the
pressed-glass sample on the left.
13

OPTIMIZING ZIRCONIA ESTHETICS zirconia (especially the white material) to be too

opaque for incisors in most clinical situations. The
Exciting as the new developments in zirconia CEREC system, which uses the Vita YZ material,
milling technology are, little attention has been and the Lava system allow for thinner frameworks
paid to the optical behavior of the various zirconia to be fabricated for incisors. These systems allow
core systems relative to core design to optimize for the framework to be fabricated with a facial
esthetics. Zirconia, while somewhat translucent, is thickness of 0.3 mm (Fig 13), which is as translu-
as opaque as metal if used at certain core thick- cent as 0.8-mm-thick pressed glass of the same
nesses and with certain cement combinations. shade. If absolutely necessary for a single incisor,
Also, if the core is thicker than it needs to be, the authors will thin the coping to 0.2 mm on the
opacity is increased, and room for the veneering facial aspect to allow maximum translucency. The
porcelain is used up. This would in fact be worse best technique found was to use the Noritake
esthetically than a properly designed porcelain- Meister diamond-impregnated knife-edged wheel
fused-to-metal (PFM) restoration with a thin metal (Noritake Dental Supply, Aichi, Japan) (Fig 14).
framework used in the same situation, because This wheel generates little heat and has not cre-
there would be more space for the veneering ated cracking problems with the core. After treat-
porcelain for the PFM (Figs 12a and 12b). Thus, ment with the wheel, the core is aluminous oxide
core design (ie, facial thickness) in the esthetic air abraded with 50-µm Al203 at 50 psi to clean
zone will have a detrimental effect on esthetics. the contaminants.
Typically, cores have been recommended to be Most manufacturers use an achromatic or white
0.5 mm thick on the facial aspect, with 0.6 mm the form of zirconia for the cores. For high-value
only option at this time for the Procera zirconia shades, eg, 0 or 1 Vita 3D Classical (A0, A1 Vita
copings. The authors have found 0.5 mm of the Classical), the white core works fine. For lower

104 QDT 2005

 Zirconia-Based Ceramics

value and higher chroma shades, the white-shaded 3. It is important to note that this is used instead of
core can be problematic. Both the Lava and Vita the effect bonder. The coping is now ready for
YZ systems allow for colored cores. The Lava cores porcelain margin techniques and porcelain layering.
come in seven different colors and the Vita YZ in A recent study by Dr Giordano, as yet unpub-
five colors. The core shade that corresponds to the lished, of shear bond strength of veneering porce-
desired tooth shade is chosen. In the authors’ ex- lains to zirconia found that using a dentin wash
perience, it is much easier to match the translu- layer fired at approximately 950°C improves the
cency and chroma of natural teeth if the correct bond strength of VM9 to Lava. This procedure is
shaded core is chosen versus using the white zirco- also a good substitute for the VM9 bonding mate-
nia core material. rial when using Vita YZ as the substructure. How-
ever, it must be noted that veneering porcelains
appear to have different bond strengths depend-
Core Bonding/Shading Agents ing on the zirconia and initial fired veneer layer.

One strategy used to color or shade the core for

the white zirconia was to develop “core-shaded THE SKELETON LAYERING TECHNIQUE
porcelains.” Company testing also found that the AND VM9
bond of the normal body porcelains fired and nor-
mal temperatures created a weak bond of the ve- The VM9 material is different enough from previous
neering porcelain to the zirconia framework. The materials that the authors have found from experi-
materials developed to solve both of these prob- ence that a slightly altered building technique is
lems were essentially high-chroma opaque materi- necessary to maximize the esthetic results. A num-
als used to shade the core and create a “bonding” ber of years ago, a simplified porcelain building
layer to which the porcelain fused on subsequent technique was described for building Alpha (Vita,
porcelain firings. The materials are fired at a high Bad Säckingen, Germany)—the “skeleton buildup
enough temperature to melt the material to effec- technique.”14 This technique was adapted for use
tively wet the surface of the zirconia, creating both with the VM9 material. The skeleton buildup tech-
a micromechanical and chemical bond. After firing, nique is a combination of many techniques broken
the core basically looks like opaqued metal, which down further into distinct manageable and easily
would obviously negatively affect the esthetic re- correctable steps. It is so named to create an
sult (Fig 15). image of a structure that is built from the skeleton
The authors found a much more esthetic alterna- outward, one layer at a time; layers are individually
tive to obtain the desired results of a bonding layer completed (fired) prior to veneering the skin
and developing core color. Translucent fluorescent (enamel surface), thus allowing maximum control of
liners or shoulder powders can be used as the both shape and shade.
bonding layer and to develop core color. With the
VM9 system, the material called the Effect Liner is
placed over the whole core in a thin layer (about Porcelain Margin
0.1 mm); this is fired 70°C higher than the normal
recommended firing temperature for this material Zirconia cores are slightly more opaque than
(Fig 15). This will melt the material, creating a thin dentin; thus, it is ideal to design the framework to
layer that wets the zirconia surface. The surface allow for a more translucent porcelain margin ma-
should look like a “low glazed” porcelain surface. terial to be placed. There is a misconception that
For 0 and 1 value shades, the authors use a mixture the margin material should have the same translu-
of 50% Effect Liner 1 and 50% Effect Liner 2; for cency as dentin. If the marginal area were at all
value 2, Effect Liner 2; and for value 3, Effect Liner visible, it would be noticeable unless the margin

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 McLAREN/GIORDANO

material also had the exact same chroma and hue the base dentin. They are chosen based on the
as the surrounding tooth structure. It is actually shade analysis and whether the shade is yellower
ideal for the marginal material to be slightly more or redder than the chosen shade. Generally,
translucent than the surrounding tooth structure so about 10% to 20% of the modifier is all that is
that it blends in by picking up some color from the necessary. The base dentins of the desired shade
tooth, the so-called contact lens or chameleon ef- are built to mimic dentin that needs to be re-
fect. As with metal or more opaque ceramic cores, placed, generally about 0.4 mm thick, allowing
a porcelain margin is mandatory for ideal esthetics. about 0.2 to 0.3 mm for the conventional dentins.
The benefit over metal ceramics is that the If less than 0.6 mm is available for the base
framework only needs to be shortened slightly to dentin–dentin combination, use base dentin only,
allow enough light through to illuminate the gingi- with the added Effect Chroma if necessary.
val area to create a natural effect (Fig 16). The zirco- To create the illusion of reality even for a
nia cores can be designed on the computer with a bleached tooth effect, it is necessary to build in
shortened framework. It is only necessary to shorten subtle intratooth color contrasts (ie, color zones)
the framework 0.5 to 0.7 mm on the facial aspect. when building the base dentin and dentin. There
With the VM9, the authors use the Effect Liner are at least three distinct contrast zones within a
porcelains with a direct lift technique for the porce- tooth. As a general guide, the chosen base shade
lain margin; 30% Effect Liner 1 with 70% Effect Liner is placed in the middle third, slightly higher in
2 works for the brighter shades (Figs 17 and 18). chroma and lower in value in the gingival third,
The material has a fluorescence similar to that of and slightly lower chroma and value in the incisal
natural dentin, which is most valuable at the mar- third (Fig 19). This layer should be slightly over-
gin or gingival area and of less importance in other built at this point, and it is then fired (Fig 20).
areas of the restoration. Fluorescence adds about Slight overcontouring after firing is easily con-
3% of the light we see reflected off natural teeth, toured with a bur.
thus having minimal effect on optics in the middle
and incisal regions of the crown, but in the gingival
area, fluorescent materials act as light carriers Dentins
much like a fiber optic. Light is carried from the
marginal area, helping to illuminate the marginal The dentins with the VM9 are more translucent
gingiva and giving a more natural appearance to than traditional dentins and are designed for the
the restoration and the gingiva in this area. multilayer buildup techniques currently being
taught. The dentin material should not be used
without the base dentin, as it is too translucent by
Base Dentins itself and the core will show through. For a basic
shade guide, building technique dentins are not
Base dentins are new materials to replace the tra- necessary and only the base dentins need to be
ditional opaque dentins from other systems. The used. For a polychromatic and more natural result,
chroma and opacity are between those of con- dentin materials are overlaid over the fired base
ventional opaque dentins and dentins. The mate- dentin layer using the same color or contrast
rial could be used without dentin in thin areas scheme as the base dentins; generally, 0.2 to 0.3
where chroma is needed but little space is avail- mm is the correct thickness with about 0.4-mm
able for the dentin layer or for a basic shade thickness of the base dentin. Again, it is best to
guide buildup technique. If additional chroma is slightly overbuild the dentins, which can be ad-
needed, Effect Chroma modifiers are added to justed after firing (Figs 21a and 21b).

106 QDT 2005

 Zirconia-Based Ceramics

Incisal Framing refractive index to allow viewing the fired effects.

This step can be repeated as many times as nec-
The enamel structures (layer) are started by build- essary until the desired effects are obtained. If the
ing up what has been termed the incisal frame; effects are excessive, it is a simple matter to re-
essentially, it is the lingual half of the incisal edge. move them prior to proceeding to the next layer.
With the internal structure (skeleton) of the base With a full-contour buildup technique, effects can-
dentins and dentins fired, it is easier to control the not be viewed until after complete sintering. If un-
position and dimensions of the enamel materials. desired effects are created, complete stripping of
The lingual wall of the incisal edge (incisal frame) the crown may become necessary.
is built up with a 50/50 mixture of Effect Enamel
Light and the light-blue translucent Effect Enamel
9 for light shades, and for shade 3 value (A3 with Enamel Skin
the old shade system) and darker, a 50/50 mixture
of Enamel Dark and Window (clear). This is then The enamel or translucent layer is placed next;
fired. Because of the small volume of porcelain, this is termed the “skin layer.” VM9 has 11 differ-
firing shrinkage is minimal, thus affording maxi- ent translucent materials, termed Effect Enamels.
mum positional control of the incisal edge. Slight There are also three translucent pearlescent
overbuilding can be adjusted after firing, and enamels that are useful to recreate a bleached
slight underbuilding can be corrected by adding tooth effect. The authors found the pearlescent
more porcelain and refiring prior to going to the enamels (Effect Pearls) to be too bright to be used
next layer (Figs 22a and 22b). straight. If they need to be used to create a bright
reflective zone, they should be cut with 50% Effect
Neutral. There are also three translucent highly
Internal Effects opal porcelains for cases that require a bluish or
whitish opal effect. For bright cases, the Effect
Internal incisal edge effects called mamelons Opal 1 is cut with 50% Effect Neutral 1 and used
need to be created to mimic a natural tooth. Spe- over most of the facial surface; this gives a believ-
cial high-chroma porcelains called mamelon pow- able bright result (Fig 25). Also, Effect Opal 3
ders were developed for this purpose. Three (bluish opal) looks good when used at the mesial
mamelon powders come with the kit. The authors and distal incisal corners. Generally, in the gingival
have found that mixing MM1 and MM3 50/50 for third, the light yellow/orange Effect Enamel 4
the mamelon effects did not end up overdone used in about 0.2-mm thickness gives a slight
and worked quite well with most shades. The warmth to this region (Fig 25).
mamelons are layered on top of the fired dentin Because of the exact control of the internal lay-
using a stain-type liquid to create mamelon ef- ers (skeleton), the precise control of the enamel/
fects (Fig 23). They are placed on thin and “drawn translucent layer (skin) is fairly easy. Overbuilding
out” to a thin, feathery appearance with a brush. is preferred at this point to allow slight contouring
Other effects are created in the same manner. of the porcelain after firing, rather than a second
These are then vacuum fired to only 875°C to set addition of translucent porcelains to complete
them on the surface. Firing to 875°C will not affect contour. If an incisal halo effect is desired, it is cre-
the internal microstructure of the fired dentins and ated by placing a thin bead of a mixture of dentin
enamels, thus minimizing the potential devitrifying and enamel porcelain at the incisal edge of the fa-
effect of multiple firings. After firing, the applied cial translucent layer; also, any slight corrections
Effect powders will appear chalky, as they are in- of form can be completed by the addition of small
completely sintered at this point (Fig 24). Wetting amounts of translucent porcelains. This is then
the surface with a glycerin-type liquid will alter the fired to complete the buildup (Fig 26). If, after the

QDT 2005 107

Fig 14 Using the Noritake wheel to thin the zirconia core. Fig 15 Core with bonder (maxillary right central incisor),
which is too opaque, and adjacent core (left central in-
cisor), with fluorescent liner used as the bonder, which
demonstrates better apparent translucency.

Fig 16 Necessary core cutback for Fig 17 Placing the porcelain margin. Fig 18 Porcelain margin after it is
marginal esthetics. fired.

Higher chroma
Lower value

Base shade
(Slightly brighter)

Lower chroma
Lower value

Fig 19 Built-up base dentins and zone contrast scheme.

 Fig 20 Base dentins are fired.

Figs 21a and 21b Dentins are built up and fired.

Figs 22a and 22b Incisal framing is built up and fired.

Fig 23 Internal (mamelon) effects are built up with Fig 24 Internal effects are fired at 875°C under vac-
medium-viscosity glaze liquid. uum.

Effect enamel 4
(Light yellowish-orange
translucent)

Effect opal +
Effect neutral

Effect opal 3
(Blue opal)

Fig 25 Enamel skin layer is built up with mostly Effect Fig 26 Enamel skin layer is fired.
Enamel 1 and Effect Enamel 4 in the gingival third.

Fig 27a Preoperative condition of two all-ceramic crowns; the

patient is unhappy with the discolored or dark area on the maxil-
lary right central incisor.

Fig 27b Final crowns are a zirconia core with VM9. Note the ef-
fective masking of the discoloration of the right central incisor
without an opaque appearance.

27a

27b
 Zirconia-Based Ceramics

skin bake, the contour is insufficient, a correction ramist has other work while the restoration is bak-
bake is completed by adding the necessary mate- ing, there is no actual increase in labor time. The
rial to full contour and firing. benefit of this technique is complete control of each
buildup step, with the ability to view each fired layer
and adjust it as necessary prior to proceeding. The
Contouring and Glazing technique is also a great teaching tool.

Contouring and surface texture are completed as

necessary using diamonds and stones. It is not REFERENCES
possible to cover all the steps in contouring and
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