Kuraray Noritake highlights KATANA Zirconia Block at Berlin symposium

Berlin, Germany: Kuraray Noritake Dental invited dental professionals from across Europe on January 26 to a symposium dedicated to the KATANA Zirconia Block, the newest addition to its famed KATANA Zirconia range. Held in the Lecture Hall Ruin of the stunning Berlin Museum of Medical History, the symposium brought together leading experts to discuss their research and clinical experiences with the material so far.

Prof. Florian Beuer, Chairman of the Department of Prosthodontics at the Charité University of Medicine in Berlin, welcomed the attendees and guided them through the history and development of zirconia as a dental restoration material. Beuer emphasised the vast difference between the first generation of zirconia, which was relatively opaque and prone to chipping and fracturing, and the highly translucent, mechanically superior zirconia of today. “Today, zirconia is truly applicable for digital workflows,” he stated, highlighting that its ability to be used for single-unit restoration and minimally invasive dentistry “truly helps to save the existing tooth structure”.

The morning’s other sessions focused on material research regarding the mechanical and aesthetic properties of the KATANA Zirconia Block. Prof. Marc Schmitter discussed the mechanical properties and fracture toughness of occlusal veneers made with the block in comparison to lithium disilicate, whilst the University of Bologna’s Prof. Paolo Baldissara highlighted the use of Kuraray Noritake’s multilayered zirconia technology, which allows it to effectively mimic the shade gradation of natural teeth. Prof. Cees Kleverlaan also presented his work on tooth enamel erosion, concluding that restorations made with ceramics such as zirconia generally lead to far lower wear rates than those made with materials with large, hard particles and low filler loads.

After a hearty lunch that featured falafel and currywurst – a Berlin sausage-based specialty – a variety of highly renowned experts in dentistry took to the stage to present their clinical experiences with the KATANA Zirconia Block. President of the ISCD (International Society of Computerized Dentistry) Dr. Klaus Wiedhahn went through his experiences integrating the block into his CEREC-based digital workflow, stating that “with the KATANA Zirconia Block, aesthetics are no longer a weak point”.

Drs Nicola Scotti, Rodolphe Acker and Hendrik Zellerhoff then presented their own clinical experiences with this new product in Italy, France and Germany, respectively. Each dentist commented on how the speed with which the block can be milled and sintered with the CEREC system allowed them to see how full-contour zirconia restorations can now be considered to be a true chairside solution. “Thanks to this block, you can create something really amazing without much effort,” said Scotti, who only began using it in April 2018 but was soon impressed with the block’s aesthetic qualities and ease of cementation with PANAVIA V5.

Dr. Alessandro Devigus and MDt. Daniele Rondoni, two active members of the European Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, capped off the symposium by discussing the possibilities of the KATANA Zirconia Block for restorations in the aesthetic zone. Both dentists emphasised the importance of fluorescence in this regard and showed, through a number of clinical cases, that the block’s excellent translucency and impressive shade selection make it ideal for this purpose.

Overall, the symposium effectively demonstrated the potential of Kuraray Noritake Dental’s KATANA Zirconia Block as a material for single-visit chairside restorative dentistry.

• 29 ian. 2019