Irena Podzimkova
Irena Podzimkova
dental technician
Secondary Medical School (SZŠ).

Fixed prosthetics: metal-ceramics, zirconia, e-max, composite.

Learn more about the fields of activity of the technician
  • Metal-ceramic constructions

    Metal-ceramic constructions

    Prostheses whose surface is covered with ceramic are among the most aesthetic and realistic-looking. The production of such prostheses usually consists of two stages:

    1. Formation of the frame, which ensures the prosthesis’ strength.

    2. Application of 3 to 18 layers of ceramic onto the surface of the frame, making the prosthesis visually indistinguishable from a natural tooth.

    The frame can be made in various ways from cobalt-chrome alloys (metallic) or be metal-free.

    You can learn about the production of metal-free frames on the pages of the relevant department.

    There are 3 methods for making metal frames. First, the frame can be cast into the shape of a mold. Second, the frame can be made by milling. Our laboratory does not provide metal milling services! Third, the frame can be produced using SLS technology.

    You can learn about casting frames from cobalt-chrome alloys on the relevant department.

    • Casting

      Precise molding of metal frameworks for fixed and removable prostheses made of cobalt-chrome alloys.

      : Casting
      Casting

    SLS is a technology of laser welding a frame from metal powder according to a CAD/CAM model. With SLS, frame production is more economical than milling but comparable in speed. The milling machine removes a large amount of valuable high-quality material from around the resulting frame.

    Also, after milling, a metal disc remains – the leftover material. In contrast, the remaining powder for SLS can be reused in the next cycle. SLS is a more complex and new technology.

    Once the frame is ready, the ceramic layering process begins.

    This allows for natural color transitions and translucency at the cutting edge of the finished prosthesis.

    When applying Ivoclar Inline ceramic to the frame, each layer is successively baked in a Programat P310/G2 oven, which carefully controls temperature based on an exact formula.

    • Ivoclar Programat P310/G2

      A modern ceramic firing furnace designed for high-quality firing of dental restorations, featuring an intuitive interface and easy control thanks to a color touch screen. This furnace ensures precise and even heating to achieve the best results. Its small size and reliable construction make it an excellent choice for any laboratory.

      Ivoclar Programat P310/G2

    For metal-ceramic work, it’s possible to add an artificial gum – “pink aesthetics”

    For the production of metal-ceramics, we accept an intraoral scan, dental impression, or plaster model. Production times depend on the type of model provided.

    A plaster model and dental impression, unlike an intraoral scan, need to be digitized. A dental impression will need to be cast in plaster first.

    : Metal-ceramic constructions
    Metal-ceramic constructions
  • Metal-free constructions

    Metal-free constructions

    Prostheses with ceramic-coated surfaces are among the most aesthetic and realistic-looking. The production of such prostheses usually consists of two stages:

    1. Formation of the framework, which provides strength to the prosthesis.

    2. Application of 3 to 18 layers of ceramic to the surface of the framework, making the prosthesis visually indistinguishable from a natural tooth.

    The framework can be made in various ways from cobalt-chromium alloys (metallic), or it can be metal-free. There are several materials that can substitute metal in the creation of the framework. Mostly, this is pressed ceramic or zirconium dioxide.

    You can learn more about the production of zirconium dioxide frameworks on the page of the relevant department.

    One of the main methods for creating the framework is filling the framework mold with Ivoclar IPS e.max Press ceramic, followed by baking in an Ivoclar Programat EP 3000 pressing furnace. Creating the mold for filling requires the preliminary creation of a wax model of the framework.

    This model can be created manually by a technician, or it can be milled in our digital milling center on the CORiTEC 150i PRO. Milling a wax model is much more precise and faster than the alternative method.

    To speed up the production of a ceramic framework, the process of mold-making and ceramic pressing can be avoided.

    Our milling center allows milling ceramic frameworks from pre-prepared IPS e.max CAD blocks.

    Once the framework is ready, the stage of multi-layer ceramic application on its surface begins. This helps to achieve natural color transitions and translucency at the cutting edge of the final prosthesis, resembling natural teeth. The exception is “full anatomy”.

    In this case, to reduce cost and speed up the prosthesis production process, no additional ceramic layers are applied to the ceramic framework. The prosthesis is, therefore, of a uniform color.

    When covering the framework with IPS e.max Ceram ceramic, each layer is successively baked in the Programat P310/G2 furnace, which raises and lowers the temperature according to a precise formula.

    • Ivoclar Programat P310/G2

      A modern ceramic firing furnace designed for high-quality firing of dental restorations, featuring an intuitive interface and easy control thanks to a color touch screen. This furnace ensures precise and even heating to achieve the best results. Its small size and reliable construction make it an excellent choice for any laboratory.

      Ivoclar Programat P310/G2

    For metal-free ceramic work, it is possible to add an artificial gum – “pink aesthetics”

    We accept intraoral scans, dental impressions, plaster models, and STL files. The STL file implies a ready-to-send model that does not require modeling by our technicians.

    The production time depends on the type of model provided. An STL file is the fastest option.

    All other impressions require modeling before production. The plaster model and dental impression, unlike the intraoral scan, need to be digitized. The dental impression will need to be cast in plaster beforehand.

    Typically, IPS e.max work takes up to 7 days.

    As part of the above-mentioned technologies, we also offer the production of veneers and “full anatomy” occlusal inlays from IPS e.max.

    : Metal-free constructions
    Metal-free constructions
  • Implant-supported prosthetics

    Fixing dental restorations on titanium roots for stability and durability of prostheses.

    : Implant-supported prosthetics
    Implant-supported prosthetics
  • Zirconium oxide structures

    Zirconium oxide structures

    Prostheses with ceramic-coated surfaces are among the most aesthetic and realistic-looking. The production of such prostheses usually consists of two stages:

    1. Formation of the framework, which provides strength to the prosthesis.

    2. Application of 3 to 18 layers of ceramic to the surface of the framework, making the prosthesis visually indistinguishable from a natural tooth.

    The framework can be made in various ways from cobalt-chromium alloys (metallic), or it can be metal-free. There are several materials that can substitute metal in the creation of the framework. Mostly, this is pressed ceramic or zirconium dioxide.

    We mill the zirconium dioxide framework in our digital milling center using the CORiTEC 150i PRO. We use Aidite material.

    During milling, the framework is produced with a volume approximately 15% larger than the final volume of the prosthesis. This is because after milling, the ZrO2 framework is sintered in the Mihm-Vogt Tabeo-2/M/Zirkon-120 furnace to gain strength and color. During this process, the framework proportionally shrinks.

    You can learn about the production of frameworks made from pressed ceramics on the page of the corresponding department.

    The time required for milling a zirconium dioxide framework is approximately comparable to the milling time of Ivoclar IPS e.max CAD, but significantly faster than the pressing of IPS e.max Press.

    Once the framework is ready, the stage of multi-layer ceramic application on its surface begins. This helps to achieve natural color transitions and translucency at the cutting edge of the final prosthesis, resembling natural teeth. The exception is “full anatomy”.

    In this case, to reduce cost and speed up the prosthesis production process, no additional ceramic layers are applied to the ceramic framework. The prosthesis is, therefore, of a uniform color.

    When covering the framework with IPS e.max Ceram ceramic, each layer is successively baked in the Programat P310/G2 furnace, which raises and lowers the temperature according to a precise formula.

    • Ivoclar Programat P310/G2

      A modern ceramic firing furnace designed for high-quality firing of dental restorations, featuring an intuitive interface and easy control thanks to a color touch screen. This furnace ensures precise and even heating to achieve the best results. Its small size and reliable construction make it an excellent choice for any laboratory.

      Ivoclar Programat P310/G2

    For metal-free ceramic work, it is possible to add an artificial gum – “pink aesthetics”

    We accept intraoral scans, dental impressions, plaster models, and STL files. The STL file implies a ready-to-send model that does not require modeling by our technicians.

    The production time depends on the type of model provided. An STL file is the fastest option. All other impressions require modeling before production. The plaster model and dental impression, unlike the intraoral scan, need to be digitized. The dental impression will need to be cast in plaster beforehand.

    The time required for milling the framework primarily depends on the availability of a prepared STL model for our equipment. If the model is available, milling up to 5 units will take 24 hours, and for more than 5 units, it will take 48 hours.

    If we need to prepare the impression for milling ourselves, the timelines will increase to 5 and 14 days, respectively.

    : Zirconium oxide structures
    Zirconium oxide structures
  • Veneer fabrication

    Creating thin overlays to correct tooth shape and color.

    : Veneer fabrication
    Veneer fabrication