Enhance Your Productivity With IPS e.max Press Multi Using Digital Press Design 3Shape Software
Increase Pressing productivity with an add-on software module
By Katherine Zoratti, MS, MBA
The press technique has long established itself as a cornerstone of producing all-ceramic restorations in dental laboratories. As equipment and processes continued to develop, so did materials technology. This eventually led to the laboratory’s adoption of IPS e.max® (Ivoclar Vivadent, ivoclarvivadent.com) as a leading choice material for the production of all-ceramic restorations, especially those that were monolithic in nature. The availability of IPS e.max in various translucencies provided laboratories the opportunity to produce restorations that were highly esthetic, highly durable, and relatively efficient to produce due to their monolithic nature. For cases in which esthetics were paramount, the cut-back and layer technique with IPS e.max Ceram powders could be utilized. One of the latest innovations of IPS e.max is called IPS e.max Press Multi, a revolutionary polychromatic ingot used for the creation of monolithic restorations with a natural dentin and incisal effect without the need for layering ceramic.
A critical aspect of the pressing workflow is the creation of a detailed and accurate wax pattern. The analog method of creating wax patterns by hand is time consuming and adds notable labor costs to the creation of pressed restorations, so many laboratories have looked toward digitizing this process. Today, detailed and well-contoured wax patterns can be fabricated via digital design and subsequent milling. The technician then only needs to sprue the wax pattern after some minor finishing. In the case of IPS e.max Press Multi, an innovative wax pattern and spruing technique ensure consistent results.
To further enhance the productivity of the IPS e.max Press Multi process, Ivoclar Vivadent recently introduced Digital Press Design™ Software, a Wieland Add-on Solution for 3Shape® scanners. Digital Press Design allows the user to design and mill sprued wax patterns and mill the entire sprued restoration as one piece. In addition to the aforementioned benefits, Digital Press Design allows the user to precisely control incisal translucency and see the adjustments to the shade gradient in real time.
The software combines the benefits of the latest material options for the press technique with those offered by CAD/CAM technology to ensure a smooth workflow for heightened productivity and control. The digital designs then can be milled from new ProArt® Wax Yellow discs, which have been developed specifically for the IPS e.max Press technique. ProArt Wax Yellow discs are highly sculptable to ensure the capture of fine anatomical details, smooth surfaces, and accurate fit. The pressing process can then occur in a Programat® furnace to complete the highly coordinated workflow.
The Digital Press Design Workflow
The Digital Press Design workflow essentially features two main components: the CAD software with unique features for IPS e.max Press Multi, and the wax disc that has been optimized for CAD/CAM and press technology.
The CAD software automatically sprues the wax pattern in accordance with the instructions for use, which enables digital — rather than analog or manual — processes. This ultimately saves laboratories time and money. However, it is still possible to manually adjust the sprue position if necessary. Additionally, the CAD software—which is available now as part of the Wieland Add-on Solutions from Ivoclar Vivadent—also enables individual definition and control of the shade and translucency gradient to accommodate the clinical situation using digital processes.
Optimized 98.5-mm yellow wax discs are available for the Digital Press Design workflow process (e.g., ProArt Disc) that can be CAM processed using milling machines such as the Zenotec select hybrid and Zenotec mini.
Technique Protocol
The Digital Press Design software and the following process allow laboratories to take advantage of the strengths of digital and analog fabrication methods to create exceptional restorations.
First, create a new order, and select the tooth to be restored (Figure 1). Then select the indication (eg, crown) and material eg, DPD Wieland Yellow Wax; IPS e.max Press Multi). Proceed with normal scan and design procedures. Next, select the sprue form based on tooth position and size (eg, standard-sized tooth, blue Type A (Figure 2); lower anterior or small tooth, pink Type B (Figure 3). Ensure the chosen IPS Multi Wax Pattern is sprued within the guidelines of the IPS e.max Press Multi instructions for use.
Align and position the sprued restoration within the Sprue Guide. The length of the Multi Wax Pattern (only Type A) between the wax-up and the IPS Multi Investment Ring Base must be at least 3 mm. The length of the Multi Wax Pattern Type B is fixed (Figure 4).
Adjust the color gradation. This can be accomplished by increasing the incisal proportion using the “Settings” option in the menu and then scrolling to the “Incisal proportion” option in the submenu (Figure 5). Close the transition area between the IPS Multi Wax Pattern and crown by activating the Checkbox “Sculpt on protected surfaces.” This will ensure a harmonious and sufficiently wide transition between the IPS Multi Wax Pattern and restoration design (Figure 6).
Run the CAM software program by selecting the appropriate insert direction based on the chosen Multi Wax Pattern. ProArt Wax Disc for Zenotec Yellow is a material designed especially for IPS e.max Press (Figure 7).
Conclusion
The introduction of the Digital Press Design software add-on represents an opportunity for laboratories to invest in technology to combine the benefits of press innovations with the increased efficiencies and productivity of digital processes. Offered exclusively by Ivoclar Vivadent for use in conjunction with 3Shape, the Digital Press Design software module allows laboratories to design an IPS e.max Press Multi restoration (Figure 8), attach the IPS Multi Wax Pattern, and make adjustments to see how the shade/translucency gradient will appear when the restoration is pressed.
Disclaimer: The statements and opinions contained in the preceding material are not of the editors, publisher, or the Editorial Board of Inside Dental Technology.
Manufacturer Contact Information
Ivoclar Vivadent
ivoclarvivadent.com
800-533-6825
About the Author
Katherine Zoratti, MS, MBA, is a Marketing Manager for Ivoclar Vivadent in Amherst, New York.
