Dr. Markus Blatz, a professor of restorative dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania, has spent over 2 decades studying zirconia. He understands both its strengths and limitations and has even contributed to next-generation material development. The NobelProcera Esthetic Zirconia Implant Bridge from Nobel Biocare overcomes common full-arch zirconia challenges like esthetics and accuracy—what Dr. Blatz calls a “big step forward” for the material.
“There has been a lot of progress made from a material standpoint with zirconia, but not all zirconia is created equal,” Dr. Blatz noted. “When you talk about implant bridges, there are certain things you have to have, such as proper flexural strength, fit accuracy, and fracture toughness. This material not only fulfills those requirements, but it has more esthetic properties than other options.”
A Better Fit + Superior Esthetics
Although raw materials for zirconia come from only a few sources, the manufacturing process is critical, Dr. Blatz explained, adding that problems during sintering can compromise fi t—a major concern for full-mouth reconstructions involving multiple implants. That’s why Nobel Biocare has developed new protocols to maximize strength and esthetics while minimizing shrinkage and warpage.
“For large reconstruction cases, you have to have passive fi t against your digital design,” Dr. Blatz said. “Passive fi t is really important for implant survival, which is why we’re counting on this so much.”
The NobelProcera Esthetic Zirconia Implant Bridge not only delivers exceptional physical properties but also enhances esthetics.
“The multilayer material has different translucency levels,” Dr. Blatz shared, “so restorations can be created based on the patient’s need for a more natural-looking outcome.”
Made in 10 VITA shades, the bridge’s cement-free design benefits both clinicians and labs while also supporting biological integration, Dr. Blatz noted.
“Over the years, we’ve seen that the presence of cement has been detrimental to biological integration,” he added. “And excess cement may cause severe damage to soft and hard tissue.”
A Must-Have for Natural Results
With nearly 2 decades of experience producing cement-free zirconia full-arch restorations, Nobel Biocare’s manufacturing process has many layers and steps that verify optimal restoration fit and quality. This, Dr. Blatz said, “differentiates the material from the other products and systems” available today.
“It definitely provides the most natural-looking results,” he affirmed. “And it’s an absolute must to avoid warpage and fracture. This is certainly the material of choice, especially for esthetically challenging cases.”
