Overview: This guide provides technical specifications and clinical indications for Dandy fixed restoration materials, including Zirconia, E.max, PFM, and Full Metal options.
Prerequisites
Before selecting a material, ensure the clinical preparation meets the minimum clearance requirements for the specific material chosen.
Zirconia Material Options
Zirconia is the recommended material for posterior cases due to high flexural strength.
Zirconia Monolithic (3Y)
Zirconia Monolithic is the strongest tooth-colored material offered, featuring a strength of ~1350 MPa.
- Best Use: Patients with bruxism and bridges up to an entire arch.
- Technical Specs: 3Y construction, 16 Vita Classical Shades, no pontic limit.
Zirconia Translucent Aesthetic (4Y)
Zirconia Translucent provides greater translucency than monolithic options while maintaining a strength of >900 MPa.
- Best Use: Full-contour anterior or posterior crowns.
- Technical Specs: 4Y construction, 16 Vita Classical Shades, maximum 1 consecutive pontic.
Porcelain Fused to Zirconia (PFZ)
PFZ restorations combine a high-strength zirconia core (1350 MPa) with a highly aesthetic porcelain layer (80-120 MPa).
- Best Use: Single- to full-arch restorations requiring high translucency or blocking out dark stumps.
E.max Lithium Disilicate Options
E.max is the recommended material for anterior cases because of superior aesthetic properties.
E.max Full Contour
E.max Full Contour features excellent aesthetics and very high translucency using a single-material milled core.
- Strength: 360 MPa (Milled).
- Ideal Cases: Single unit anterior restorations, multiple anterior single-unit restorations, and veneers.
E.max Layered Porcelain
E.max Layered Porcelain is hand-layered over a milled core to provide the highest aesthetic quality.
- Strength: 360 MPa core with 80-120 MPa layered porcelain.
- Bridges: Suitable for bridges up to 3 units; mandibular anterior placement is preferred.
Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM)
Dandy provides precious-metal PFM restorations. Dandy does not provide non-precious PFM restorations for use on implant abutments.
PFM Material Choices
- High-Noble Yellow: Contains 73% Gold (18 karat).
- High-Noble White: Contains 40% Gold (10 karat).
- Noble White: Semi-precious option providing balanced durability.
- Non-Precious: Base metal solution without noble metal content.
PFM Preparation Guidelines
Standard preparation requires a shoulder or chamfer margin with 2.0 mm occlusal clearance.
- Axial Wall Reduction: 1.5 mm.
- Margin Thickness: 1.0 mm.
- Collar Types:
- Porcelain Butt Margin: Porcelain is layered to the base of the crown.
- Metal Collar: A visible metal band (180 or 360 degrees) remains at the base.
- Junction: Porcelain is layered to the margin with a thin, non-visible subgingival metal collar.
Full Metal Restoration Characteristics
Full metal restorations use biocompatible alloys that offer the highest compressive strength (3,000 MPa) for posterior applications.
Full Metal Material Composition
- High-Noble Rich Yellow: 58% Gold (14 karat).
- Noble Yellow: 40% Gold (10 karat).
- Noble White: 24.97% Palladium and 70% Silver.
- Non-Precious: Base metal alloy with no noble metal content.
Temporary Restoration Materials
Dandy uses Argen PMMA Discs for temporary restorations.
- Clinical Use: Short-term use only; PMMA is not intended for long-term durability.
- Minimum Wall Thickness: 0.80 mm.
Related Information
- [Zirconia Material Safety Data Sheets]
- [Bridge Design Constraints and Spans]
- [Crown and Bridge Preparation Guide]