New Pressable Glass-Ceramic Offers Unprecedented Efficiency, Esthetics

Celtra Press requires less labor than lithium disilicate and leaves dentists amazed with the results

By Chess Moore, CDT

Aesthetic Reconstruction Labs is a boutique crown-and-bridge laboratory with four technicians and one intern. In my 40 years in this industry, including 31 as a laboratory owner, I have found that efficiency and cross-training are critical for a small laboratory. Any product or technique that expedites the fabrication process while continuing to meet our high standards of quality is of great interest, and Celtra Press from Dentsply Sirona Prosthetics has proven to be just such a product.

We started using this high-strength glass-ceramic—a zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS)—approximately a year ago as a beta tester. Very few changes were necessary, as we fell in love almost immediately with the material. We use it for both anterior and posterior restorations, mostly single units but also some 3-unit bridges.

Celtra Press can be processed so much faster than lithium disilicate because of two primary factors: There is no reaction layer to remove, and you do not need to deal with acid. Those factors can be time-consuming with lithium disilicate.

The material is extremely esthetic as well, which is very important for my laboratory because we work with dentists around the country and often depend on their photos for shade matching. I have found that the Celtra stain is unique; I can perform layered Celtra Press internal stain characterization and then build over it. The opalescence of the Celtra Press is complemented by the Celtra layering porcelain, which has its own nice opalescence. Unlike the fluorescence of lithium disilicate, which can work against you, opalescence works for you, with more of a chameleon effect that dentists really appreciate. Even with cases in which I felt the dentists provided insufficient or no photography, they have raved about how beautiful the restorations are. That has been surprising to me, because I am accustomed to more labor being required for excellent results.

The ease of use is also important because low remake rates are crucial to a small laboratory’s profitability. If I make a restoration once, I can earn a nice profit. If I make it twice, however, I’m lucky to break even. It is very important to use products I can rely on to go into the mouth and be durable. The 500 MPa strength of Celtra Press has proven reliable, as I have not had a single complaint about the long-term viability of Celtra Press.

I am excited about the future of this product in my laboratory. Pressables account for approximately 70% of our work, and we are now using Celtra Press for 55% of our pressables, with that number continuing to increase as more and more dentists request it instead of lithium disilicate.

Like any other product, of course, the result depends in part on the technician. With Celtra Press, you can get nice results from a novice and excellent results from a master. Dentsply Sirona Prosthetics has hit a home run.

Disclaimer: The statements and opinions contained in the preceding material are not necessarily those of the editors, publisher, or the Editorial Board of Inside Dental Technology.

About the Author

Chess Moore, CDT
Owner
Aesthetic Reconstruction Labs
Hattiesburg, MS

Key Takeaways

• Celtra Press can be processed faster than lithium disilicate because there is no reaction layer to remove and no acid
• Opalescence leads to exceptional esthetics
• >500 MPa strength makes it reliable long-term
• Combination of esthetics and reliability leads to fewer remakes

Manufacturer Information

Dentsply Sirona Prosthetics
celtra-dentsplysirona.com
855-723-5872