429 Too Many Requests

Shortly before KATANA™ Zirconia ML was launched at the IDS in Cologne ten years ago, I had the pleasure to be invited to Japan. We visited the KATANA™ Zirconia production facilities and learned from Kazunobu Yamada and Takuro Nagura how the new material worked. So far, all dental zirconia I had used was white and quite opaque.

I was immediately impressed by the complexity of the production procedure including all the measures taken by Kuraray Noritake Dental to provide for an extremely high material and blank quality. The blanks appeared to have an extremely homogeneous multi-layered structure and a high density responsible for stable edges and smooth surfaces. What we were told in the manufacturing plant was confirmed by Kazunobu Yamada, who shared his experience and showed us several full-contour cases. I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that he was able to produce impressive outcomes without adding any colour. Moreover, Kazunobu Yamada was obviously able to polish the surface of his restorations within seconds. The perfectly smooth surface would allow us avoid the use of glaze, which usually wears off very quickly, leaving a potentially rough surface that may harm the antagonist.

Based on what I had learned in Japan, I went back to Italy and started experimenting with the amazing new material. While Kazunobu Yamada had identified KATANA™ Zirconia ML as the solution for monolithic restorations in the posterior area, I started using it in every region of the mouth – with different design concepts from full-contour to micro-cutback with micro-layering in the vestibular area. The occlusal contact area was always held in plain, polished zirconia.

Fig. 1. Early example of anterior restorations made of KATANA™ Zirconia ML individualized with CERABIEN™ ZR using the new micro-layering technique.

Fig. 2. Possible cutback design.

During the testing period, I learned a lot about the new zirconia, which was so different from earlier generations. The most important insight was that that the processing conditions have a huge impact on the final outcome. Kuraray Noritake Dental provided valuable support e.g. in the form of sintering protocols and processing and finishing recommendations. This helped me develop my own workflow and concept based on a full-contour design in the posterior and different micro-cutback options with micro-layering in the anterior region. For me, this is a perfect combination of the new type of zirconia (KATANA) and the traditional porcelain material (CERABIEN™ ZR Luster Porcelain and Internal Stain).

In May 2013, at a meeting of the Noritake Study Club in Florence, Italy, I presented the new approach for the first time. Many colleagues were enthusiastic about it and started adopting it. While further developments like more translucent (cubic) material variants and a new generation multi-layered zirconia with a flexural strength and translucency gradient increased the application options and aesthetic potential, micro-layering became a truly popular approach used by dental technicians all over the world. In 2016, it was recognized as a relevat workflow during a closed meeting of the European Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry.

Fig. 3. Perfectly polished palatal zirconia surfaces of anterior restorations.

Fig. 4. More recent case showing a patient who received restorations made of KATANA™ Zirconia STML …

Fig. 5. … finished with CERABIEN™ ZR Internal Stains and a micro-layer of CERABIEN™ Luster Porcelain LT1.

But what is the major reason for the success of the concept and of multi-layered zirconia with KATANA™ Zirconia ML as the pioneer? In my opinion, it should not be implemented for greater simplicity or economic reasons, as one might assume at first thought. The time saved in the layering procedure should be spent on other tasks such as surface texturing and a fine-tuning of the processing procedure. The real benefit is that KATANA™ Zirconia ML and its successors allow for better solutions adapted to the patient’s needs. First of all, they enable us to save natural tooth structure, as the required wall thickness is reduced. They also offer mechanical advantages, as chipping is avoided, and the occlusal contact area remains smooth over time. In my dental laboratory, we changed our workflows completely and – preferring a more conservative approach whenever indicated for the case on hand – we often abandon full layering.

KATANA™ Zirconia can be considered as a great contribution to the digital workflow in the dental laboratory and office, which increases the efficiency of prosthodontic procedures. With the KATANA™ Zirconia Multi-Layered series, it is easy to hold our promise of delivering the best possible quality and aesthetics. The reason is that the materials support us in an ideal way, delivering the perfect combination of tradition and innovation.

Some companies mainly make use of basic technologies developed by others to improve their products and introduce new ones, while other companies conduct fundamental research and technology development inhouse. Is this difference relevant for someone who uses the resulting products in the dental practice or laboratory on a daily basis? It is – as companies with a deep understanding of the underlying components, chemistry and technologies are able to solve existing problems and respond to market needs flexibly and quickly. This article describes the impact of several basic technologies developed by Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc. on the cementing of indirect restorations.

Adhesive cementation then and now

The possibility of milling dental restorations from different kinds of ceramics has opened up new opportunities in prosthodontics: highly aesthetic restorations can be produced and placed. What is often undervalued in this context is the role of adhesive cementation systems, which not only support the aesthetic appearance of the translucent, tooth-coloured restorations, but also pave the way for less invasive preparation and restoration designs. Early systems that provided for chemical adhesion between teeth and indirect restorations unfortunately offered a compromised long-term behaviour and high technique-sensitivity, while the application procedure was extremely complex. Technology development at Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc. made significant contributions to an improved long-term bonding performance of the systems and a simplified handling.

Optimizing the long-term bonding performance

In order to achieve long-term bonding of early cementation systems to tooth structure (especially dentin), Kuraray, a parent company of Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc., decided to focus on the development of a more powerful adhesive monomer in the 1970s. As a first step on its road to excellence, it introduced the phosphate monomer Phenyl-P in 1976. Five years later, continued efforts in improving and refining its molecular structure led to the introduction of the popular MDP Monomer that is capable of establishing a particularly strong and long-lasting bond to enamel, dentin, metal and zirconia.

The fact that it is still part of every adhesive and adhesive cementation system from Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc., and meanwhile also used by other manufacturers to optimize the bond strength and bond durability of their products, stresses the ingenuity of the invention. Compared to MDP synthesized elsewhere, the Original MDP Monomer from Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc. stands out due to an unmatched level of purity. Independent Studies show that this level of purity has a positive effect on its bonding behaviour¹. By offering stability in a moist environment, the MDP Monomer has contributed to a more consistent performance of the products containing it.

Different MDP Monomers offer different levels of purity and a different bonding performance.

Three experimental self-etch primers were prepared consisting of 15 wt.% 10-MDP provided by different sources: KN (Kuraray Noritake Dental), PCM (Germany) or DMI (Designer molecules Inc., USA). Data courtesy of Dr. Kumiko Yoshihara.

For adhesive resin cement systems to deliver a strong bond with an outstanding marginal seal, however, simply containing an adhesive monomer is not enough. Effective polymerization of this monomer is necessary as well – and not always that easily accomplished. In order to provide for an effective light-cure and dark-cure performance of PANAVIA™ V5, Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc. developed the Touch-Cure Technology. The key part of this technology is a newly developed, highly-active polymerisation accelerator in PANAVIA™ V5 Tooth Primer that is able to coexist with the acidic MDP Monomer promotes polymerisation starting from the interface between the tooth and the cement as soon as PANAVIA™ V5 Paste is applied to the already primed tooth surface. In PANAVIA™ Veneer LC – a light-curing resin cement system that works with the same primers – the polymerisation accelerator in PANAVIA™ V5 Tooth Primer shows the same mechanism of action. It contributes to the polymerization of the adhesive interface, while PANAVIA™ Veneer LC Paste offers excellent ambient light stability and is polymerized by light curing.

For example, this phenomenon was evaluated for PANAVIA™ F2.0, the predecessor of PANAVIA™ V5. The result of the study: PANAVIA™ F2.0 showed much better marginal sealing properties than other cement systems evaluated². This documented secure sealing of the interface leads to a lower incidence of marginal leakage, to a very high polymerisation ratio even in the self-cure mode (without light curing or wherever the light is blocked by the restorative material) and hence to a particularly strong bond.

An additional benefit arising from the incorporation of the polymerisation accelerator is its function as a strong reductant. It neutralizes sodium hypochlorite, which is commonly used as an irrigation solution during endodontic treatment, and thus eliminates its negative effect on the bond strength of the subsequently applied cement paste.

A highly active polymerisation accelerator in PANAVIA™ V5 Tooth Primer promotes effective polymerisation of the cement at the adhesive interface.

Simplifying glass-ceramic cementation

Fewer bottles, fewer steps and streamlined cementation procedures: that is why self-adhesive resin cements have been developed and introduced in the early 2000s. Most of these products, however, have a limited indication range. They work well on zirconia, metal, enamel and dentin, but are either not recommended or need an extra silane primer for glass-ceramic bonding. The MDP-containing PANAVIA™ SA Cement Universal is different due to another proprietary technology from Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc.: the LCSi Monomer, a Long Carbon-chain Silane coupling agent. This monomer forms a strong chemical bond with resin composite, porcelain and silica-type ceramics (like lithium disilicate), so that the need for a separate silane component (a primer or adhesive) is eliminated. By leveraging the benefits of this technology, PANAVIA™ SA Cement Universal clearly sets itself apart from other self-adhesive resin cements as a true single-component cementation system even for restorations made of glass ceramics.

If desired, the product’s bond strength to tooth structure can be increased by use of the popular universal adhesive CLEARFIL™ Universal Bond Quick featuring Rapid Bond Technology. This technology has been developed by Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc. to solve problems related to the slow penetration of tooth structure, especially wet dentin, typical for universal adhesives. In order to provide proper penetration, these adhesives need to be actively rubbed into the tooth structure for a long time or users have to wait for some time before light-curing the layer. Consisting of the Original MDP monomer combined with hydrophilic amide monomers, the proprietary Rapid Bond Technology provides for a high affinity to water leading to a rapid and deep penetration of wet dentin. As a consequence, application times are shortened and handling is simplified without negatively affecting the bonding performance.

Conclusion

Technologies developed by Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc. have strongly contributed to an improved bonding performance of adhesive cementation systems and a truly universal use of self-adhesive resin cements. As a consequence, the company offers a streamlined portfolio of high-performance resin cements for every user, for the typical clinical situations. Fewer components and fewer steps are necessary and procedures simplified – for fewer errors and aesthetic restorations that last. Apart from the technology-related benefits, the products mentioned offer many additional beneficial features. A detailed description is found online at kuraraynoritake.eu.

References

1) Functional monomer impurity affects adhesive performance.; Yoshihara K, Nagaoka N, Okihara T, Kuroboshi M, Hayakawa S, Maruo Y, Nishigawa G, De Munck J, Yoshida Y, Van Meerbeek B. Dent Mater. 2015 Dec;31(12):1493-501.
2) Touch-Cure Polymerization at the Composite Cement-Dentin Interface.; Yoshihara K, Nagaoka N, Benino Y, Nakamura A, Hara T, Maruo Y, Yoshida Y, Van Meerbeek B.J Dent Res. 2021 Aug;100(9):935-94.

Interview with Yoshihisa Yamada
General Manager, Technology Division of Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc.

KATANA™ Zirconia ML was introduced ten years ago, at the IDS 2013 in Cologne, as the dental industry’s first zirconia product with a multi-layered colour structure. Since that event, KATANA™ Zirconia ML blanks have become very popular. Continued development efforts have led to the current line-up of multi-layered materials, KATANA™ Zirconia UTML, STML and HTML PLUS, and our latest product – KATANA™ Zirconia YML. Our new technology with colour, translucency and strength gradation is found in KATANA™ Zirconia YML.

Photo credits to MDT Giuliano Moustakis.

How important was the invention of the Kuraray Noritake Dental’s original multi-layered technology for the dental market?

Our impression is that the material has had a significant impact on the dental market. Being the first zirconia material with a multi-layered colour structure, KATANA™ Zirconia ML was our first product of its class to offer the properties needed for the efficient production of full-contour zirconia restorations with a natural look. Before its introduction, the “full-contour zirconia” concept had not been widely accepted due to the aesthetic properties of the zirconia materials available so far: Many of them lacked the desired level of translucency, while others needed to be treated with dyeing liquids or stains in a complex procedure to obtain a natural shade appearance. With the launch of multi-layered zirconia blanks, which successfully added natural colour gradation to the structure, aesthetic full-contour zirconia restorations started to become popular among dental technicians worldwide. The high potential of the technology was confirmed at the IDS 2013 show, when we saw not only end-users, but also engineers from competing companies come to look at this product.

4-layer colour structure of KATANA™ multi-layered discs.

Photo credits to MDT Daniele Rondoni.

What changes were driven forward by the introduction of KATANA™ Zirconia ML?

After the introduction of KATANA™ Zirconia ML, many companies started developing multi-layered zirconia discs, creating a new dental product category with an added technical and clinical value. We are convinced that the invention of Kuraray Noritake Dental has played a major role in the shift from zirconia exclusively used as a framework material to alternative approaches including full-contour zirconia restorations. If only monochromatic zirconia discs had been available, we imagine that an increased number of dental technicians would have embraced the concept of using liquid colourants to achieve a natural appearance of full-contour crowns and bridges. That would have prevented monolithic zirconia restorations from becoming as popular as they are today.

How did the KATANA™ Zirconia ML technology evolve over the past ten years?

Based on our unique core technology developed for inventing KATANA™ Zirconia ML, we have been continuing making efforts to create even better products. One of Kuraray Noritake Dental’s great strengths is its ability to develop all the raw materials for its zirconia products inhouse. This makes it possible for us to adjust the boundaries between the layers as inconspicuously as possible, even when discs consist of multiple layers. This enabled us to provide multi-layered discs with the required strength and aesthetic qualities, and with a stable, predictable shrinkage rate. In the past ten years, we have focused on adding new materials with different levels of translucency and strength to offer a portfolio that meets the demands of virtually every dental technician, practitioner and patient.

For example, the advent of KATANA™ Zirconia STML, which has even better aesthetic qualities than KATANA™ Zirconia ML, has made it possible to use it all by itself to create highly aesthetic restorations, with no need to characterize or individualize the restorations. Of course, if you use KATANA™ Zirconia Multi-Layered discs and treat the restorations with a surface staining agent, such as CERABIEN™ ZR FC Paste Stain, you can create even more aesthetic restorations in a shorter time.

What are the benefits of Kuraray Noritake Dental’s multi-layered technology, as compared with other manufacturer’s solutions?

KATANA™ Zirconia multi-layered discs offer the advantage of delivering the proper colour even when they are sintered at high speed. There are two reasons for this. First, we developed unique raw materials with suitable characteristics for high-speed firing. This allows the creation of restorations with the same strength, stability, and aesthetics to be achieved after both short- and long-time firing. The second reason is that we possess the technical know-how concerning excellent shading that Noritake Dental Supply, one of Kuraray Noritake Dental’s predecessors, cultivated during its many years spent developing ceramic materials. Noritake Co., Ltd., parent company of Noritake Dental Supply, is a long-established ceramic manufacturer that is famous for its tableware and other outstanding products. It is this background that allows us to properly control pigment coloration using our inorganic pigment know-how and to provide unique firing schedules. These two strengths enable us to bring unique advantages to our products. That is, they remain stable and retain appropriate colouration even under rapid firing schedules.

CERABIEN™ ZR FC Paste Stain being applied to KATANA™ Zirconia restoration.

Photo credits to MDT Roberto Rossi.

How did you manage to shorten the sintering times so significantly, resulting in your speedy sintering with uniform protocols?

When shorter sintering times became possible, Kuraray Noritake Dental recommended that KATANA™ Zirconia ML be sintered for seven hours. After that, when a new furnace claiming being capable of short-time firing was launched, we used it to fire KATANA™ Zirconia ML on a trial basis. We found, happily, that our zirconia material was uniquely compatible with rapid firing. This was the beginning of our full-fledged study of short-time firing of our zirconia material. You could say that we began investigating short-time firing almost by accident. Then, while developing KATANA™ Zirconia STML and KATANA™ Zirconia UTML, successors of KATANA™ Zirconia ML, we focused on incorporating short-time firing into their features and made various adjustments, finally achieving the optimal combination of factors for the successful short-time firing of zirconia.

What are the benefits of Kuraray Noritake Dental’s second-generation multi-layered technology, as compared with other manufacturer’s solutions?

One advantage of KATANA™ Zirconia YML is that it can be applied to treat a wider range of cases without complex limitations on position within the disc. The reason: it delivers this high level of aesthetics while still maintaining great strength. This advantage of being appropriate for a wider range of cases also simplifies inventory management. In addition, users benefit from our expertise in developing raw materials and reproducing colour with ceramics. This expertise enabled us to develop a zirconia product in which each layer has a different level of translucency, while great strength and admirable aesthetics are maintained throughout the whole blank.

The sintering recommendation is only a guideline; some adjustments may be required depending on each individual furnace. If the furnace cannot be set according to the 54- or 90-minute sintering schedule, speed sintering cannot be used.

* The restorations may be removed at 800°C or less depending on the circumstances.
** For the sintering schedule of KATANA™ Zirconia HT, please refer to the Handy Chart in product packaging.

Is it really possible to address every case using only KATANA™ Zirconia YML?

For every case that can be treated either with KATANA™ Zirconia STML, KATANA™ Zirconia UTML, or KATANA™ Zirconia HTML PLUS, KATANA™ Zirconia YML is also an option. Hence, it is possible to use only KATANA™ Zirconia YML for all your zirconia cases – which is probably one of the reasons for its great popularity. It features both great strength and excellent aesthetics, and – being so versatile – it helps simplify inventory management. Of course, Kuraray Noritake Dental’s other multi-layered materials feature outstanding properties as well. Depending on the features you need, it would also be an option to select from these products - KATANA™ Zirconia STML, KATANA™ Zirconia UTML, or KATANA™ Zirconia HTML PLUS – to realize your ideal restorations.

KATANA™ Zirconia YML, finished with CERABIEN™ ZR.

Photo credits to MDT Giuliano Moustakis.

Why is the KATANA™ brand in general so popular among dental technicians around the world?

We think that dental technicians choose KATANA™ because they find that they can create highly aesthetic restorations using simple, straightforward steps.

Is there any further development potential in multi-layered technology?

On the basis of our technical know-how, there is always room for improvement. That is why we never stop innovating and listening to the voice of our customers. Developing what supports them in improving their outcomes while providing for more predictable, less stressful procedures is our ultimate goal. Right now, we expect to develop products with even greater strength, increased translucency, and outstanding aesthetics that will have a natural look resembling real teeth, even when the material used is full-contour zirconia.

Dentist:

YOSHIHISA YAMADA

We are thrilled to share with you our latest brochure – KATANA Zirconia Restoration System, featuring Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc’s product line-up that is dedicated to creating true-to-live restorations.

The KATANA Zirconia Family brochure features a range of lab-side products that are designed to meet the needs of modern dental professionals.

Our zirconia materials offer excellent strength and aesthetics, making them a top choice for prosthetic dentistry. In the new KATANA Zirconia Family brochure, you can read detailed information, key technical parameters, and suggested indication ranges for all our zirconia products - KATANA Zirconia UTML, STML, HTML PLUS, YML and HT. Also, we look at other products from our range such as CERABIEN ZR Porcelain, FC Paste Stain and  Esthetic Colorant that are and excellent choice for characterization of zirconia restorations, provide an overview of the sintering programs of KATANA Zirconia multi-layered discs and offer useful tips and tricks on how to best handle our zirconia.

With the KATANA Zirconia Family brochure, you will have all the basic information you need to make informed decisions about materials suitable for your dental lab.

Have a read, learn more and stay up to date!

“Very nice handling properties”

PAVANIA™ Veneer LC receives 4.6 rating in REALITY’s Five Star Award

After a FirstLook evaluation published in May 2022, a team of evaluators from REALITY RATINGS & REVIEWS has thoroughly tested PANAVIA™ Veneer LC in the clinical practice environment – with great outcomes. The purely light-cured resin cement received 4.6 out of 5 stars in the Five Star Award, the most convincing features being its handling and viscosity.

While most of the evaluators used PANAVIA™ Veneer LC for the permanent cementation of veneers, some also tested the onlay indication (restricted to high-translucency materials of a material-specific maximum thickness). Those who decided to polish the margins (43 %) found that the resin cement is very well polishable with little effort. Among the handling properties highlighted were easy seating with virtually no drifting, non-stickiness and easy excess removal – both after tack curing and in the cement’s uncured state. In addition, the evaluators praised the minimal film thickness and favourable viscosity, which has a considerable impact on the ease of seating. The working time was sufficient for all evaluators, independent of their way of working (filtering/blocking dental unit light or not, placing multiple veneers simultaneously or one veneer at a time).

The shade offering – PANAVIA™ Veneer LC is available in the four shades Clear, Universal/A2, Brown/A4 and White – was regarded adequate by most evaluators (79 %), the most popular shade being Clear. One evaluator stated that “I think the “clear” shade is my new favorite. It seems to have a brightness to it compared to other clear or translucent cements.”. Being the only shade with a high opacity, White was found to have a decisive impact on the appearance of the final restoration. The try-in pastes were well-received for their handling and easy rinse-off ability.

The PANAVIA™ Veneer LC kit available in Europe consists of PANAVIA™ Veneer LC Paste, PANAVIA™ V5 Tooth Primer and CLEARFIL™ CERAMIC PRIMER PLUS. Hence, it builds confidence by sharing primers with the proven PANAVIA™ V5, while its long working time and specific handling properties add extra benefits that are extremely valuable during veneer cementation. Click here to read the full evaluation!

According to Koelnmesse, 120,000 visitors from 162 countries attended the 40th International Dental Show between March 14 and 18, 2023. Being one of the 1,788 companies from 60 countries exhibiting at the show, the Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc. team enjoyed being back on-site, and seized every opportunity to connect with end-users of their products in person again. About 60 percent of the visitors and 75 percent of the exhibitors came from abroad. A highly international, euphoric atmosphere and lots of positive feedback on innovations confirmed that the team is on the right track in developing solutions that support users in improving the lives of their patients. However, the visiting dental professionals were not only interested in products for the dental office and laboratory, but also in smart techniques and approaches for their productive use – presented by renowned experts in lectures and hands-on demonstrations.

Laboratory solutions: The professionals were particularly interested in the brand-new Esthetic Colorant and the whole KATANA™ Zirconia Multi-Layered Series.

Hands-on demonstration of MDT Giuliano Moustakis: Zero Bake Technique with Esthetic Colorant and CERABIEN™ ZR FC Paste Stain.

MDT Nondas Vlachopoulos revealing how to obtain aesthetic outcomes with the One-Bake Technique.

Micro-layering with MDT Daniele Rondoni.

A roadmap to white-pink aesthetics shared by MDT Andreas Chatzimpatzakis.

MDT Alek Aronin describing a handcraft approach to highly aesthetic outcomes.

Indirect workflow solutions: PANAVIA™ Cements meeting every need.

Universal Excellence: CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Universal put to a test.

Handling test with direct restorative materials.

Demonstration of the flowable injection technique by Dr Michał Jaczewski.

Dr José Ignacio Zorzin shedding light on how to achieve reliable adhesion with universal products.

CEREC tips and tricks from MUDr Josef Kunkela, PhD.

Looking forward to seeing you at the next International Dental Show in Cologne in 2025 or elsewhere: The Kuraray Noritake Dental team!

Stratos Chatzichristos just tested the brand-new Esthetic Colorant on restorations made of KATANA™ Zirconia. This is his verdict:

“For me, KATANA™ Zirconia plus Esthetic Colorant is a true killer combination that leaves nothing to be desired. I love to apply the dyeing liquids to my monolithic zirconia restorations to intensify characteristic features and create natural shade effects. Usually, those restorations just need a final layer of glaze to look amazing!”

Every tooth has its unique internal shade structure. With its unique raw materials and colour structure, and specifically developed for the “KATANA ™ Zirconia” Multi-Layered series, Esthetic Colorant enables you to easily and efficiently imitate a variety of these unique characteristics.

The liquids are simply applied to the monolithic or anatomical restoration after milling using ametal-free brush or brush pen, preferably with a Liquid Brush Pen. The Esthetic Colorant diffuses into the pre-sintered structure and is fixed during sintering with no additional baking, resulting in lifelike shade effects shining from the inside of the restoration.

Would you like to know more about how to use our Esthetic Colorant, watch the video now:

World’s largest dental trade show is coming to a close

Have you been one of the dental professionals who have visited the world’s largest dental trade show this year? We have all had a fantastic time and would like to thank you for your huge interest in our products and solutions. From our conversations with you, the whole team has gained new insights into what you like, value and desire. We will use this information to keep on innovating – to develop more groundbreaking new technologies and products for patient-centered dentistry.

For example, products like KATANA™ Zirconia YML which feature second-generation multi-layered technology. It enables dental technicians to solve all their zirconia cases with a single material thanks to its flexural strength, translucency and colour gradation in a single disc.

Experts like MDT Daniele Rondoni and MDT Nondas Vlachopoulous value the well-balanced properties that enable them to position the restoration quite flexibly in the blank. They are also enthusiastic about the aesthetic potential of this and other materials of the KATANA™ Zirconia Multi-Layered Series that allows for beautiful outcomes with no or just a small layer of porcelain.

In their presentations, both professionals revealed how to leverage the benefits of multi-layered zirconia. For MDT Daniele Rondoni, for example, multi-layered KATANA™ Zirconia is the perfect base for his 4.4.1 micro-layering technique demonstrated at the booth. Thanks to the extraordinarily well-balanced optical properties of the materials, he usually opts for a full-contour design or a slight vestibular cutback – depending on the region in the mouth and the aesthetic demands of the patient. Then, he combines different materials of the CERABIEN™ ZR portfolio in a micro-layer to create natural outcomes.

MDT Nondas Vlachopoulos uses the KATANA™ Zirconia Multi-Layered Series as a basis for his restorations finishing with the one-bake technique he demonstrated in his presentations – or for the incredible imitations of nature that only a few dental technicians are able to create.

Have you missed some of the presentations that were of interest you? All the lectures and hands-on demonstrations will be available OnDemand soon!

See you all in Cologne in 2025!

IDS and Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc. celebrating anniversaries

Did you know that not only the IDS is celebrating a double anniversary this year, but Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc. is, too? The PANAVIA™ brand was established 40 years ago, while the first ever zirconia disc with a multi-layered colour structure – KATANA Zirconia ML – was introduced ten years ago at the IDS 2013.

The success story of the brand PANAVIA began with the introduction of PANAVIA™ EX, the first resin cement containing the original MDP Monomer. Since then, the company never stopped innovating: new technologies were developed and combined with existing ones to create a portfolio of resin cements precisely geared to the era-specific needs of end users. All of this has resulted in the current portfolio of easy-to-use and highly aesthetic resin cements that provide top-level bond strength.

The latest member of the PANAVIA™ family is PANAVIA™ Veneer LC, a light-curing resin cement system from Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc. available in four shades. It consists of PANAVIA™ Veneer LC Paste, PANAVIA™ V5 Tooth Primer and CLEARFIL™ CERAMIC PRIMER PLUS. With its extended working time of 200 seconds* on the primer, PANAVIA™ Veneer LC is designed for a simultaneous veneer placement technique. Other beneficial features include a well-aligned paste consistency, a high colour stability, easy excess removal after tack-curing and an excellent bond strength over time.

Many visitors interested in this as well as the other two products of the current PANAVIA™ family – PANAVIA™ V5 and PANAVIA™ SA Cement Universal – had the chance to talk to Yui Otsuka, marketing specialist, from the Information Marketing Group of Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc. in Japan. “Many visitors know and trust the PANAVIA™ brand. As users of PANAVIA™ V5, they were either looking for a light-curing version – which they found in PANAVIA™ Veneer LC – or for a solution that would simplify their workflows in many situations. The desired simplification is easily achieved with PANAVIA™ SA Cement Universal, the self-adhesive resin cement that even bonds to glass ceramics very well,” she reports. Please be sure to look out for her at our booth to learn more interesting facts about the PANAVIA™ family!

For dental technicians, it might be worth having a look at the last day’s presentation programme: At 09:30 am, and MDT Daniele Rondoni will shed light on the “4.4.1 Micro-Layering Technique”. At noon, MDT Giuliano Moustakis will demonstrate how to achieve beautiful outcomes simply by carving and the use of Esthetic Colorant on KATANA Zirconia. And finally, MDT Andreas Chatzimpatzakis will focus on ”White-Pink Aesthetics” (1:30 pm).

See you tomorrow in Hall 11.3 at our Booth # E010/F019!

Just two more days to satisfy your thirst for knowledge!

We cannot quite believe how quickly three days of the world’s largest dental trade fair have passed! We have had some fascinating conversations with visitors and truly appreciate the insights and information they have been able to give us. So, with just two more days to go, please do not miss the opportunity to talk with our team – we promise you will not be disappointed; you will find them more than happy to make time for you and share their profound knowledge.

Today in the early afternoon, many CEREC users interested in our chairside materials – KATANA™ AVENCIA and KATANA™ Zirconia Block for CEREC – attended the hands-on demonstration of MUDr Josef Kunkela, PhD titled “KATANA™ Properties and CEREC Tips & Tricks”. He revealed that CAD/CAM materials should be carefully selected not only for aesthetic reasons, but also to provide for an accurate fit, high marginal stability and surface quality of the restorations produced. His knowledge stems from studies conducted in his own research laboratory. In these tests, KATANA™ materials outperformed other materials (of the same material class) in terms of dimensional stability, size of the cement gap and margin and surface quality.

These facts were new to a part of the audience, and confirmed by experienced users. As Ricarda Köbler, Area Sales Representative at Kuraray Noritake Dental, says: “I talked to several users of KATANA™ Zirconia Block, who were not surprised by the findings just presented. They love the processing properties of the material just as its aesthetic potential, and value the precise fit and smooth surfaces they obtain every time.” Ricarda is part of the team at our booth’s Indirect Restorative counter showcasing CAD/CAM blocks, resin cement systems and more.

The next – and final – opportunity to attend the demonstration of MUDr Josef Kunkela, PhD is tomorrow morning at 09:30 am at the Kuraray Noritake Dental booth (Hall 11.3, Booth # E010/F019). Popular presentations focusing on laboratory solutions and approaches from today will be repeated on Friday, starting with MDT Daniele Rondoni’s “4.4.1 Micro-Layering Technique” at 12:00 pm and continuing with MDT Nondas Vlachopoulos’ “One Bake Technique at 03:15 pm. On Saturday, MDT Daniele Rondoni will be on stage again at 09:30 am.