Robert Zubák Using CaptekTM products and Ivoclar ... - JDT Unbound

Figure 3
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Article and Photos By
Robert Zubák
Using Captek TM products and Ivoclar
Vivadent’s IPS d.Sign® ceramic materials
to create a detailed restoration.
Figure 1
Figure 2
very dental patient who needs a restoration wants one
that looks real. That is what dental technicians are trying
to create in the laboratory every day. This case, using
Captek TM as the understructure and IPS d.Sign® as the
ceramic, consists of five crowns in the anterior section
on abutments 22-26, two crowns in the posterior section
on abutments 28 and 30 and a single porcelain inlay on
abutment 19 (Figure 1).
Figures 2 and 3 show the condition of the restorations after
I prepared the Captek TM copings and prior to applying the bond
coat (UCP) and opaque. The Universal Coupler Porcelain® (UCP)
material, made by Captek TM (Precious Chemicals Inc.), not only
creates a mechanical bond for the ceramic, but increases the strength
of the coping, also. Another advantage of Captek TM is that its chemical
composition (88% Au, 4% Pd, 3% Ag) allows it to be well tolerated in
the oral cavity. It does not create a dark rim at the gingival margin as is
experienced with other metal-ceramic alloys.
Two layers of the opaque were applied. The consistency of the
opaque paste may be adjusted by adding glaze liquid. The first layer was
applied with a higher viscosity to prevent material from flowing down
(Figures 4 and 5).
Figures 6 and 7 show the procedure of applying the second layer
of opaque. Figure 8 shows the appearance of the second firing. The
second layer is applied using a thinner mix of material with margin
powder added by dusting the surface as shown in Figure 6. This gives a
textured surface, which provides for a better bond between the opaque
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JOURNAL OF DENTAL TECHNOLOGY ● January 2004

Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
and ceramic material. Also, it ensures better refraction of light whereby
the light penetrates through the dentin and incisal substances to the
opaque surface. The addition of the margin powder does not change
color.
Achieving a desired color shade is not easy and a certain amount of
experience is needed before an appropriate color is created following the
opaque firing. Most teeth feature a darker color shade toward the cervical
and gradually become lighter closer to the incisal with varying degrees of
transparency.
When selecting an appropriate color shade the two principal horizontal
lines, which divide the tooth into the cervical, dentin and incisal,
should be determined. Close attention should be paid to the selection
of an appropriate dentin color shade because it determines the other
shades.
In this case, the A3 color shade was selected for the dentin. The
cervical has a somewhat darker shade, so a darker color was used for this
area. In this case, the cervical incisal orange (CI.o) was added in a 60-40
ratio to the deep dentin A3 color shade.
The A shades consist of a palette of colors that are close in shade to
each other, differing only in their chroma intensity. Using the dentin that
was made darker by adding CI.o as a basis for the cervical color, you can
achieve a more natural and animated look.
I prepared pure A3 deep dentin, pure A3 dentin, A3 dentin with
transparent neutral in a 50-50 ratio, pure TS2 incisal substance, a mix of
TS2 and TN 50/50, transparent blue TB, mamelon light substance mix
of MML and A3 50/50, pure effect E3, and pure occlusal dentin orange
(OD.o).
Figure 9 shows the deep dentin used for the cervical and the deep
dentin A3+ cervical incisal orange (CI.o) proximal areas. A3 was applied
around the entire upper rim deep dentin. This method hides the rim of
the coping by preventing light from passing through the more transparent
material to be added. This could be a problem if the preparation is
inappropriately reduced and develops a hot spot.
I applied a mix of A3 dentin+ transparent neutral (TN) in a 50-50
ratio in the cervical area. Close attention is required to address insufficient
space in the cervical area. This mixture creates the effect of greater
depth, which is important in this area. Further layers consist of A3 dentin
in the dentin area and a mixture of dentin A3 with a transparent neutral
(A3+TN) in the incisal area (Figures 10 and 11).
I provided some space for applying transparent substance and
mamelons and applied occlusal dentin orange (OD.o) on the occlusal
surface. The edges were overlaid with a thin layer of TS2 incisal, onto
which the mamelons were created using the MML mixture. A3 dentin
and TB transparent blue were applied between these (Figure 12). A thin
layer of TS2 incisal between dentin and the entire incisal provides for an
appropriate separation of dentin and incisal powders, thus the final shade
takes on a more life-like appearance. The deep A3 dentin was applied
onto the OD.o (occlusal dentin orange) already on the occlusal surface,
which starts the initial shape of the cusps (Figure 13). The incisal mix
was then used to cover the entire surface. In the dentin area, mixes of TS2
and TS2+TN were used (Figures 14 and 15). The occlusal anatomical
features were formed using this substance as well.
continued next page
January 2004 ● JOURNAL OF DENTAL TECHNOLOGY 27

Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12
Figure 13
“The Color of Perfection,” continued from page 27
After dismounting from the model, the incisal mix is applied
onto the proximal areas thereby fixing the imperfections.
Overbuild slightly to account for approximately 10 percent
shrinkage (Figure 16).
Figures 16-20 show the crowns prior to and after the first firing.
Figures 21-23 show applying the corrective layers and second
firing. The corrective layers are intended to create the final appearance
and shape. The TS2+TN mixture was used and an E3 effect
provided optical lift of cusps. The better this procedure is done,
the less amount of time will be needed for final finishing work.
The finishing work is an important step because it influences
the final color. A minor defect can result in an inappropriate refraction
(light reflection) and may cause the entire restoration to
be lifeless.
Concave shapes provide for optically darker surfaces while
convex shapes make these surfaces look lighter.
Rubbing the labial surface with carbon paper or using silver
powder will aid the technician with a visual reference in ensuring
the crowns have correct anatomical shape. Close attention must be
paid to the incisal edge, particularly when it comes to lower teeth
because the edge mandates the specific shape.
A glaze firing is used to provide for the final finish. In this
case, I used glazing powder, glazing media and a small amount of
stain for highlights. After glazing, the finished product is checked
again for imperfections.
In the end, the thinness of the Captek TM material allows for
more ceramic depth, as shown in Figures 24-26. The warm golden
surface color of the completed coping, which does not oxidize,
improves the shade giving the final restoration a warm natural
appearance.
To see more pictures of Robert Zubák’s handiwork visit our Web
site at www.nadl.org/jdt.
About the Author:
Figure 14
Zubák is a dental technician
from Slovokia with 15 years
of experience. He is working
at Ragle Dental Laboratory,
CDL in Champaign, Ill.
QUIZ: Receive 1/2 point CDT or RG documented scientific
credit for reading this article and passing the quiz! To get
your credit, complete the quiz located on the NADL Web site at
www.nadl.org under the Certification Section, or call the NBC
Fax-on-Demand at (877) 355-8029, Press 1 for NBC documents,
and enter document number 40 to have the quiz sent to your fax
machine. Once completed, mail or fax to NBC at (850) 222-0053.
This quiz is provided to test the
technician’s comprehension of
the article’s content and does
not necessarily serve as an
endorsement of the content by
NADL or NBC.
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JOURNAL OF DENTAL TECHNOLOGY ● January 2004

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January 2004 ● JOURNAL OF DENTAL TECHNOLOGY 29