The unique properties of PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) – biocompatibility, aesthetics, ease of manipulation, and cost effectiveness – make this material a popular choice for large span temporary dental implant restorations.

However, a less advantageous characteristic of PMMA is its poor mechanical properties. More specifically low modulus of elasticity and compression strength. Therefore, providing splinting stability to healing implants may not be its strong virtue.

PMMA Elastic Modulus

3.6 Gpa

PMMA Compression Strength

80 Mpa

Stability of an implant is a crucial factor in osseointegration.

Consequently, the more a bridge flexes the more micro movement is transferred to the bone implant interface.* The team at BioFunctional Materials™, with over 50 years’ collective experience in the field of dental implant technology, recognized this dilemma and the potential benefit of a digital and metal-free solution. One that upgrades the mechanical properties of the PMMA bridge without adding any burdening costs or fabrication complications.

By incorporating ZANTEX™ *, an advanced polymer network material**, within the PMMA bridge structure, the resulting restoration can conceivably provide* 10 times the elastic modulus characteristic and almost 7 times the traction strength!

PMMA Enhanced Bridge Characteristics**

ZANTEX Enhanced PMMA Elastic Modulus

35 Gpa

ZANTEX Enhanced PMMA Compression Strength

920 Mpa

Protocol Provides for Digital Impression to Longterm Temporary Bridge. Complete with an Automated and 100% Digital Workflow (including cylinder abutments).

ZANTEX™ Bridge Insert

The clinician’s and/or laboratory’s customary CAD software (EXOCAD™, 3SHAPE™, DentalWings™, Nemodent™, etc.) is utilized to design the implant supported bridge. The process is then automated and 100% digital workflow. It will generate two STL files. The first structure is a modified bridge featuring a slot that will receive the second structure, that is a ZANTEX™ wafer. It is bonded directly into that slot.

PMMA can be either machined from a disk or 3D printed. ZANTEX™ is milled from a thin disk, optimizing machine time. Bonding strength of ZANTEX™ to PMMA is extremely high and final assembly is simple, requiring minimal hands-on effort.

Aesthetics, fabrication, cost effectiveness, biocompatibility and other desirable characteristics of your PMMA bridge are left totally intact, and its mechanical properties are boosted.

A 100% Digital Workflow Starts on Day One of the Treatment Plan…

Initial Consultation

Include study models in occlusion to establish a mockup of future pros- thetics.

Try-in Validation

The mockup try- in, once scanned will represent the outmost layer in the digital software.

Surgical Guide

Can be made from that mockup. Also a prosthetic try-in, secured on the placed implants validates the proj- ect. (Stackable surgical guide).

Impression

Taken at the transepithelial abut- ment level. (Multi-unit, Conic Abutment, Flat One, etc.)

Laboratory Begins

Lab now has all data to start building case utilizing the digital software...either a Full Zircon or Full PMMA STL case on Titanium cylinders.

Software Divides

Using a third party soft- ware, (Fusion 360 from Autodesk), the STL file is transformed into 2 files: 1: Featuring the PMMA shell & 2: The ZANTEX reinforcement.

Fabrication

ZANTEX will be milled from a Standard Disk or a Preformed Arch. The PMMA is either milled or printed.

Bond & Finish

Minimal human inter- vention required to bond the 2 structures, the Titanium Cylinders and then characterize the bridge. (Gingival Polychromy of Enamel Stratification of teeth.)

Multiple Design Options

Axial Design

ZANTEX Axial reinforcement is inserted axially This design leaves 3 PMMA walls, (an Occlusal wall, an Lingual wall and a Vestibular wall) allowing the ZANTEX to be virtually invisible.The Ti Cylinders are bonded to the ZANTEX. In some cases they can extend occlusal to the PMMA.

Bi-Axial Design

If the Bucco Lineal width of the bridge is minimal, the ZANTEX Bi- Axial Reinforcement can extend Lingually. This leaves 2 PMMA walls, (Occlusal and Vestibular).The Ti Cylinders are bonded to the ZANTEX and in some cases extend occlusal to the PMMA. The ZANTEX exposed surface can be covered with a free flow nano structured composite; ie, GC OptiglazeTM.

Lateral Design

The ZANTEX Lingual Reinforcement is a simple design that maximizes the overall PMMA volume, and offers a 5mm thick ZANTEX reinforcement.It can be milled from a precut ZANTEX Arch (AR01), in a 4 axis milling machine, using our Arch-to-Disk Adapter. (See Below) The Ti Cylinders are bonded to the PMMA and extend to the ZANTEX.

Arch-to-Disk Adapter

An Arch-to-Disk Adapter accepts a pre-cut ZANTEX Arch (AR01) for economical fabrication in a four axis milling machine. The adaptor is a two-piece jig that simulates the size and shapeof a ZANTEX Ø98X16MM Disk Form.A ZANTEX Arch fits precisely into a precut section in the bottom half of the jig. The top half then mates securely with the bottom section providing an appropriate milling machine holder.

ZANTEX Can Also Serve as a Framework for Zirconia... Enhancing Strength and Durability

First Sintering of the Zirconia Crowns

Lab Kyon, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Zantex and Zirconia 1B: First Sintering of the Zirconia Crowns

Characterization of Ceramic Crowns