KATANA™ AVENCIA™ Block - The ideal balance

Interview with Peter Schouten, Technical Manager, Kuraray Europe Benelux

PRECISION - STRENGTH - POLISHABILITY

When creating KATANA™ AVENCIA™ Block for CAD/CAM, our goal was to develop a block that would be easy to grind while delivering a smooth surface. Of course, its mechanical properties had to be first-rate, and we aimed for excellent gloss retention. Finally, it goes without saying that KATANA™ AVENCIA™ Block restorations had to be durable as well as being suitable for adhesive cementing.

Existing hybrid ceramic blocks on the market (except for VITA™ Enamic) are produced in the same way as direct dental filling composites, namely, silanized filler mixed with synthetic resin. The composite is then formed into a block or a mold and polymerised. The disadvantages are a non-uniform distribution of the filler particles and an increased risk of trapped air which can result in voids. Instead, KATANA™ AVENCIA™ Block uses the unique Filler Press and Monomer Infiltration method, developed by Koichi Okada et al. The treatment of the filler is what makes this method so unique.

Nano-sized silica fillers pre-treated with silane combined with nano-sized alumina fillers are densely compressed into a block which is subsequently impregnated with resin. Finally, the blocks are polymerized by heat to achieve a maximized degree of polymerization. Blocks manufactured in this way have a dense, homogenous and virtually void-free structure.

SEM photos show the microstructure of KATANA™ AVENCIA™ Block, in a comparison with other materials. KATANA™ AVENCIA™ Block is filled densely and uniformly with only nano-sized filler.

Smooth

Owing to the high filler content with filler particles of up to a maximum of 40 μm, KATANA™ AVENCIA™ Block is not only strong but also extremely easy to grind. Thanks to smooth result the next step - polishing - is simplicity itself.

Strong

The KATANA™ AVENCIA™ Block is yet another example of how we have fully exploited our knowledge and expertise in the silanisation of fillers. The nano-sized, optimally silanised silica fillers establish tight connection between silica and resin-matrix. This is essential when aiming to achieve strong and stable prosthetics.

*Not a trademark of Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc.
** Test Condition: Toothbrush wear test using tooth paste. Load: 250 g.
Source: Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc.

Polishability

The dense, homogenous, and void free structure of KATANA™ AVENCIA™ Block is the reason that the high gloss easily achieved with polishing only will be long-lasting. KATANA™ AVENCIA™ Block shows virtually no reduction of gloss after tens of thousands of brushing movements in the toothbrush test.

For optimum, long-lasting and durable results, it goes without saying that KATANA™ AVENCIA™ Block restorations should be affixed with one of the products from the PANAVIA™ family.

• May 25, 2021

About the Author

Peter Schouten

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