Clinical Cases, Labside Micro-layering on lithium disilicate 8 juil. 2025 Case by Francesco Ferretti, MDT Is it possible to produce lifelike porcelain veneers using lithium disilicate and a porcelain system with a reduced number of internal stains and porcelains designed for micro-layering? This is what we wanted to find out when we decided to test the new CERABIEN™ MiLai line-up. As loyal users of the CERABIEN ZR family for porcelain layering on zirconia, we hoped that the new product would offer similar handling and optical properties. The CERABIEN™ MiLai line-up consists of 15 internal stains and 16 porcelains, which are - like CERABIEN ZR - based on synthetic feldspathic porcelain technology from Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc. With a comparatively low firing temperature of 740 °C (or 1,364 °F), the system may be used on zirconia as well as silicate ceramic restorations, provided that the CTE value of the materials is between 10.2 and 10.5 × 10-6/K (50 °C – 500 °C). This is true for lithium disilicate, our preferred base material for the production of ceramic veneers. The thickness of the porcelain layer is usually smaller than 0.5 mm, which allows us to exploit the aesthetic potential of the underlaying ceramic, while creating some individual effects for the underlying structure and the enamel. A clinical case predestined for the use of the new system is shown below. Fig. 1. Young male patient with discoloured composite restorations on his maxillary central incisors. Fig. 2. The patient was unhappy with his smile aesthetics, so that it was decided to place more durable ceramic veneers. Fig. 3. Appearance of the central incisors after minimally invasive tooth preparation. Fig. 4. Veneers made of lithium disilicate individualized with CERABIEN™ MiLai placed on the model. Fig. 5. Intraoral view of the teeth after adhesive cementation of the veneers. Fig. 6. Close-up view of the anterior teeth. Fig. 7. Smooth optical integration of the veneers: They show some individual effects and are virtually indistinguishable from natural tooth structure of the adjacent lateral incisors. Fig. 8. Black-and-white photograph of the maxillary anterior teeth. Fig. 9. Smile aesthetics. Fig. 10. Beautiful treatment outcome. COMPACT SYSTEM The compact line-up of CERABIEN™ MiLai with its nicely developed internal stains and porcelains enables us to imitate the patient’s natural teeth very well in the great majority of cases. Shades are easily selected and the favourable consistency of the porcelains facilitates application in thin layers. Due to the reduced thickness of the porcelain layer, it is possible to play with the optical properties of the underlying lithium disilicate, creating a final restoration with a natural appearance despite the simplified procedure.