Istar: The Premier Arch Dental Lab

Zirconia (including Y-TZP, 3Y, 4Y, and 5Y types) is a key material for our fixed products.

• Mechanical Strength: Monolithic zirconia (3Y-TZP) is exceptionally strong, making it perfect for back teeth that take a lot of pressure and for long bridges.
• Esthetics: 5Y-PSZ zirconia is nearly as translucent as lithium disilicate, making it a good choice for teeth in the smile zone.
• Clinical Indications: Recommended for full-arch sets of teeth, multi-unit bridges, and implant-supported frames because it’s very strong and gentle on opposing teeth (when polished).
• Multi-layered and Gradient Materials: We use multi-layered zirconia that has gradual changes in color and translucency to look like a natural tooth, which means less need for staining.
• Processing: It is usually milled and then heated at very high temperatures (1450–1550°C). The final properties depend on a very precise heating process.
• Clinical Performance: Studies show a 5-year success rate of over 95% for monolithic zirconia crowns and bridges, with very little chipping or breaking.
• Bonding: It needs to be air-blasted and used with special resin cements for the best bond.

E.max (Lithium disilicate) is a top choice for restorations that need to look amazing.

• Mechanical Strength: It is strong enough for single crowns and short bridges in both the front and back of the mouth.
• Esthetics: It’s still the gold standard for looks, letting light pass through beautifully and matching tooth shades very well, especially for front teeth.
• Clinical Indications: Best for single crowns, veneers, and short front bridges.
• Processing: It is milled in a “blue” state and then heated to about 850°C. This firing gives it its final strength and look.
• Clinical Performance: Crowns have a 5-year success rate of over 94% with excellent-looking results.
• Bonding: It can be etched and treated to create a strong bond, which allows for smaller tooth preparations.

PEEK is an advanced polymer that is becoming popular for its special qualities.

• Applications: It’s being used more for implant-supported frames and removable denture bases.
• Properties: It’s strong, light, and has an elasticity closer to bone than metal, which feels more natural.
• Biocompatibility: It is very safe and causes almost no irritation.
• Esthetics: It is tooth-colored and can be layered with other materials to look even better.
• Wear: It wears down less than PMMA and is gentler on opposing teeth than metal.
• Processing: It is usually made by milling it with CAD/CAM.

PMMA is still a useful and affordable material.

• Applications: It’s the standard for temporary crowns, bridges, and denture teeth. New methods now allow it to be 3D printed for final denture bases.
• Properties: It’s easy to work with, low-cost, and looks good.

Processing: It can be made with traditional methods or 3D printed, which allows for a completely digital denture process.

We use different metal alloys for their strength, long life, and specific uses.

• Cobalt-Chrome (CoCr) Alloys: The main material for removable partial denture (RPD) frames and some fixed restoration frames.
• Properties: Very strong and does not corrode easily.
• Processing: More and more, it’s made using 3D printing (additive manufacturing or AM), specifically selective laser melting (SLM). This allows for very accurate, lightweight, and complex frames that fit better.
• Titanium and Titanium Alloys (Ti-6Al-4V): The top choice for dental implant posts and abutments.
• Properties: Excellent safety for the body, great osseointegration, and strong.
• Processing: SLM and electron beam melting (EBM) are used for custom titanium implant parts, allowing for complex shapes that help bone grow into them.
• Biocompatibility: Titanium is the gold standard. CoCr alloys are usually safe, though they can release ions.

Esthetics: They are not tooth-colored and need a porcelain layer in areas where looks matter.