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Questions from Our Customers: BRUXZIR® FULL-STRENGTH

As leaders in the dental lab industry, we frequently receive questions from dentists concerning the materials, techniques and solutions we use. In this blog post, we hope to address some of the most common questions customers ask us about our BruxZir® Full-Strength Zirconia restorative solution.

Is BruxZir Full-Strength different from BruxZir Zirconia?

BruxZir Zirconia refers to a variety of monolithic zirconia-based restorative products that have played a central role in the transition of restoration fabrication to a CAD/CAM process. Although they have similarities, every product in the BruxZir family is uniquely designed to meet specific clinical needs, esthetic characteristics and flexural strengths. BruxZir Full-Strength distinguishes itself by providing the highest flexural strength among the BruxZir Zirconia formulations that have been released since the material’s introduction in 2009.

BruxZir Full-Strength features an impressive MPa rating. 

When would I choose BruxZir Full-Strength vs. BruxZir Esthetic?

BruxZir Full-Strength is a monolithic zirconia material used in a variety of restorations like crowns, bridges, screw-retained implant crowns, inlays and onlays. It was originally marketed as being “More Brawn Than Beauty” because of its high level of durability and flexural strength resistance of 1,150 MPa. The material is a more attractive solution for bruxers and patients who want an esthetic alternative to cast gold restorations or metal occlusal PFMs.

BruxZir Esthetic has natural-looking esthetics that excel in the anterior.

BruxZir Esthetic Zirconia was developed to meet the demand of dentists requiring a BruxZir material with greater translucency in the anterior. Launched in 2018, BruxZir Esthetic is a formulation produced by proprietary processing, resulting in a lifelike, natural appearance with brilliant shade-matching capabilities. BruxZir Esthetic offers a flexural strength of 870 MPa — slightly lower than BruxZir Full-Strength, while still significantly exceeding the ISO 6872 strength recommendations for bridges. This makes it the preferred option for patients who favor maximum esthetics without compromising durability or quality.

The choice between these two solutions depends on the individual needs and preferences of your patient. If they suffer from bruxism, have a strong bite, or have limited occlusal space, BruxZir Full-Strength may be the preferred option. If they mainly require a lifelike anterior esthetic, then BruxZir Esthetic may provide a better solution. Whichever formulation is chosen by the clinician, BruxZir Zirconia offers outstanding performance for a full range of indications, from veneers to full-arch implant restorations.

BruxZir Full-Strength was the result of many years of rigorous R&D conducted to provide dentists with a quality solution for their most functionally demanding cases.

What advantage does BruxZir Full-Strength have over porcelain or PFM restorations?

Cast gold and PFM restorations are prone to fractures, wear, and deterioration over time. In cases where patients require treatment in a demanding area, traditional restorative materials may become smooth and rounded with use while also causing damage to natural dentition. BruxZir Full-Strength is not only more durable, but also gentler on opposing enamel than porcelain and other traditional restorative materials. These materials also lack the natural appearance of real teeth and are challenging to work with in situations of limited occlusal space.

How does BruxZir Full-Strength compare to other zirconia products on the market?

An independent study published by Gordon J. Christensen Clinicians Report® evaluated the long-term performance, fracture toughness and class of several prominent dental zirconias.1 BruxZir Full-Strength consistently earned the highest scores, proving that the durability claims behind the material match the results shown through independent research.

A key part of this study tested the occurrence of terminal fractures over a 10-year period. While other zirconia products had a 98% survival probability rate in clinical studies, BruxZir Full-Strength demonstrated an impressive 100% rating. It also tested at ≤ 3 mol % of yttrium oxide  a common additive used to change refractive index. This quantity of yttria indicates a strong combination of tooth-colored esthetics and maximum durability without sacrificing quality. In fact, test observations reveal that BruxZir Full-Strength has the highest abuse tolerance out of any zirconia crown product.

What are the preparation guidelines for BruxZir Full-Strength?

BruxZir Full-Strength requires minimal grinding preparation.

  1. 1.0 mm ideal reduction (0.5 mm minimum).
  2. Chamfer or shoulder margins preferred. Feather-edge OK.
  3. Axial walls must be convergent (avoid undercuts).
  4. Preparation should be cut in three planes.
  5. To achieve optimal impression quality, gingival retraction is necessary for preparations with subgingival or equigingival margins.

The preparations required for BruxZir Full-Strength are minimal, thus reducing the amount of healthy tooth material lost before the restoration. The absence of additional grinding preparation reduces the amount of chairside work needed and helps enable conservative dentistry.

How do I bond BruxZir?

To ensure proper bonding of zirconia, the intaglio surface of the restorations must be treated prior to cementation. This treatment eliminates salivary phosphates that could potentially contaminate the restorations. We recommend the following three methods:

  1. Air abrasion with 50-micron aluminum oxide, with 1–2 bars of pressure.
  2. A zirconia cleaner such as Ivoclean®.
  3. 5% sodium hypochlorite.

After decontaminating the surfaces, an MDP-containing primer (10-Methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate) such as Monobond Plus
® should be applied. The MDP monomer chemically adheres to zirconia and, after application, the restoration is ready for cementation.

Gordon J. Christensen Clinicians Report is a registered trademark of CR Foundation. Ivoclean and Monobond Plus are registered trademarks of Ivoclar Vivadent.

1. CR Foundation. Zirconia crowns: what dentists and labs need to know in 2020! Gordon J. Christensen Clinicians Report [internet]. 2020 Sep [cited 2022 Mar 10];13(9):1-4. Available from: https://media.glidewelldental.com/wp-content/uploads/validations/products-services/bruxzir/ZirconiaCrowns_DU.pdf

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