20
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CERECDOCTORS.COM
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QUARTER 3
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2015
INSIDE CELTRA DUO WITH MARKUS VOLLMANN
To learn more about this unique material, its development and
indications, I had the opportunity to speak with the creator of the
Celtra Duo block, Dentsply’s Director of Development and Appli-
cation Technologies Dr. Markus Vollmann.
WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT
OF CELTRA DUO AND HOW IT CAME TO BE?
We identified the need in the market for a real chairside high
strength glass ceramic — one which could provide the right shade,
great strength, and outstanding esthetics.
Two companies — Dentsply, a worldwide leader in dental prod-
ucts; and VITA, with its 30 years of experience in CERECmaterials
— came together in 2009 to combine their expertise in research and
development. The goal was to provide an answer for this unmet
need of high-strength glass ceramics in the CEREC community.
We worked together with the Fraunhofer Research Organization
in Germany, and with the ISC Glass Institute at Wuerzburg which
is famous for its research and development work in glass. The result
was the zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate glass ceramic, which
has been patent-approved in the United States and worldwide.
THE PRODUCT IS A COUSIN OF VITA’S SUPRINITY® BLOCK,
IN THAT IT SHARES SOME CHARACTERISTICS. HOW ARE THE
TWO MATERIALS SIMILAR AND HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT?
We developed it together but each company has its own manufac-
turing process. Celtra Duo is provided as a fully crystallized, tooth
shaded block with a dual pathway for processing; whereas Vita’s
Suprinity® is delivered as a pre-crystallized, amber shaded block.
WHAT, IN YOUR OPINION, IS THE BEST CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS
MATERIAL? IS IT THE STRENGTH, THE MILLING OR SOMETHING ELSE?
That is difficult to answer, of course! Celtra Duo has a lot of best
characteristics that are a function of its unique microstructure,
zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS). The microstructure
provides many practical benefits to the doctor and ultimately, the
patient who receives the restoration. It allows for a choice in how
to process (mill & polish or mill & fire); the ability to shade match,
and characterization on a tooth shaded restoration. As has been
reported by many of our customers, the polishing is quite easy and
the esthetic outcome is excellent!
YOU MENTIONED THAT CELTRA DUO CAN BE EITHER POLISHED OR GLAZED.
WHAT ARE THE INDICATIONS FOR WHEN A CLINICIAN WOULD USE ONE
TECHNIQUE OVER ANOTHER FOR FINISHING THE RESTORATION?
The material has the unique capability to be processed in either of
two ways — either mill & fire or mill and polish. The final decision
as to which pathway remains with the clinician based on the partic-
ular clinical situation presented. Celtra Duo is currently indicated
for single unit restorations — crowns, inlays, onlays and veneers.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT WAYS THAT A CLINICIAN CAN SEAT THE
RESTORATION? DOES IT NEED TO BE BONDED OR CAN IT BE CEMENTED?
Depending on the indication, Celtra Duo can be self-adhesively or
fully adhesively cemented. We recommend using either Calibra®
or SmartCEM®2 depending on the retentive nature of the prep.
WHAT ARE THE CLINICAL INDICATIONS OF THE MATERIAL?
WHERE SHOULD CLINICIANS AVOID ITS USE, IF EVER?
We are stayingwithin the indications given already for the conven-
tional lithium disilicate material, including posterior crowns and
three-unit anterior bridgeworks once larger block sizes are avail-
able for Celtra Duo.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO POLISH THE MATERIAL?
Celtra Duo can be polished with the standard equipment of burs
and rubber-based wheels which doctors already use with other
glass ceramic materials for CEREC.
IS THERE A SPECIFIC GLAZING OVEN THAT SHOULD BE USED OR CAN
THE DOCTORS USE THEIR EXISTING OVENS (ASSUMING THEY HAVE ONE)?
Celtra Duo can be fired in the standard ovens the doctors use for
glazing amaterial. No special equipment is needed; however, there
is a different firing schedule that needs to be programmed prior to
first firing of the Celtra Duo.
WHAT OTHER ITERATIONS OF THE BLOCKS ARE UNDER DEVELOPMENT?
We are planning to have larger and different block sizes, abutment
blocks and more shades.
CAN THE MATERIAL BE USED FOR BRIDGES, OR IS A BLOCK IN DEVELOPMENT?
A block for bridge work is in development.
HOW WILL CELTRA FIT INTO THE INCREASING INDICATIONS FOR IMPLANTS?
Due to the excellent strength of Celtra Duo in the fired state, it is
a good candidate for abutment solution on implants (e.g., for the
final crown on an abutment, especially as a full-contour crown).
ARE THERE OTHER INDICATIONS OR OPTIONS WITH
CELTRA DUO CURRENTLY BEING EXPLORED?
We are looking to take Celtra from “Duo” to “Trio” with a third
option that is currently being finalized. This third option is to
polish first followed by a simulated glaze firing (i.e., firing without
the application of glaze) which will increase the strength of Celtra
Duo. This will both simplify the process and save time! Look for
more details in the coming months.
THIS IS DENTSPLY’S FIRST FORAY INTO THE CEREC WORLD ...
WILL IT BE ITS LAST, OR DOES THE COMPANY HAVE OTHER PRODUCTS
UNDER DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL BE OF INTEREST FOR CEREC USERS?
Besides the planned line extensions for Celtra Duo, there are lots of
options for significantly improving the high-strength glass ceramics
based on the Celtra technology platform. It is just the beginning and
Dentsply will focus much more on developing innovative materials
usable for chairside applications and prosthetic solutions.
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C O N T E A N D V O L L M A N N
