1. How may I improve communication with my Dentist clients and increase the probability of attaining a predictable, esthetic result?

Authentic® is a practical, methodical system which affords the Dentist and the Laboratory the ability to simply & effectively communicate hue (basic tooth color/shade,) chroma (color saturation) and value (brightness.) Authentic® offers 58 different fluorescent pellets (pressable ingot) choices in four opacity levels ranging from 20%, 30%, 45% and 70% opacity.

The shade wheels are an excellent communication tools. The ingot tabs are pressed out of actual ingots and are fabricated in realist thin dimensions. The layering tabs are baked out of the actual layering powders

 

2. What is the single most distinguishing attribute of your system by comparison to the many other systems on the market?

Simply stated, it is the vitality and fluorescence associated with the aforementioned ingot groups. With each increase in ingot opacity, additional fluorescence is added to increase vitality-this exclusive optical property precisely emulates the natural dentition in all lighting sources.

This extensive assortment of both ingot shades and opacity levels, facilitates customized material selection specific to the clinical challenges and esthetic requirements unique to each case, rather than requiring the accommodation of each patient case to a limited, few ingots as is common in most other all-ceramic systems.

 

3. Are there any other unique features and/or advantages to the Authentic® system?

Authentic® pressable ceramic is indicated for all types of restorations, including: all-ceramic inlays/onlays, partial crowns, full crowns, Press-To-Metal® crowns, PTM® inlay bridges, PTM® long-span bridges and PTM® hybrid- encapsulated bridges. Because Authentic® may be used for all types of restorations, technicians /ceramists may now focus on the artistry of creating beautiful smiles, rather than trying to disguise the use of different restorative materials.

This extraordinary material technology translates to uniform optical refractive index in the mouth and vital, natural-looking smiles-even in combination (mixed media) cases. Simply stated, your patients will be ecstatic with the natural vitality and "pop" they observe in their new smiles.

 

4. How long has Authentic® been on the market?

Authentic® is a second generation, Leucite-glass reinforced pressable. It was originally introduced by Ceramay into the European market in early 1998 and was subsequently introduced by Microstar Corp. into the U.S. market in September of 1998.

 

5. Much emphasis has been placed on wear characteristics of restorative materials in recent years, how does Authentic® compare to both competitor products and natural tooth structure?

Authentic® is extremely kind to opposing tooth structure in terms of wear characteristics. Natural tooth structure has a VH (Vickers Hardness) of 450, while most competitor products range between 700 and 900 VH. The composition and average particle size of Authentic® both contribute significantly to its’ low 470 VH rating. Additionally, with an average particle size of just 4 microns, Authentic® has a particular affinity to repel plaque, and may be polished to its’ original luster after chair-side adjustment.

 

6. What about the strength of Authentic®- how does it compare to other pressable products?

Authentic® has been independently tested for strength and durability by Dr. J. Geis-Gerstorfer at the University of Tubingen in Germany. According to his research, including a biaxial flexural strength study, Authentic® pressable ceramic core measures 148 MPa (Megapascals), and Authentic® overlay ceramic measures 90 MPa.

This test confirms the fact that Authentic® is the strongest pressable ceramic material in the Leucite-reinforced pressable category. Another interesting fact is that it also demonstrates that the overlay material alone is stronger than most competitors’ pressable core material.

 

7. Many pressable systems have specific ingots for use in the staining technique and other ingots for use when utilizing the layering technique, does Authentic® require specific ingots be used for specific techniques as well?

One of the benefits which Authentic® affords is simplicity. Unlike other systems which require the technician to choose an ingot specific to the technique which he/she intends to utilize, Authentic® ingots facilitate staining (internally or externally) or layering at any point during the fabrication process. As a result, the technician may now choose an ingot of the appropriate opacity level, and then commence either staining or layering the restoration with no requirement for a foundation layer or modification to layered materials to ensure compatibility.

Additionally, if the pattern presses short or a margin chips at some point during the fabrication process, the technician may effortlessly repair the deficiency or chip and continue without an afterthought.

 

8. Does Authentic® Press-To-Metal® require a specific ingot to be pressed over metal?

No, any ingot may be utilized for all-ceramic partial crowns, veneers, full crowns, Press-To-Metal® crowns or Press-To-Metal® bridges. This ensures a uniform appearance throughout the mouth, regardless of restoration type.

It also enables the technician to press both all-ceramic and Press-To-Metal® patterns in the same ring, thereby minimizing waste of ingot material.

 

9. How should I treat Authentic® all-ceramic and Press-To-Metal® restorations in preparation for my Dentist clients bonding them in the mouth?

Authentic® all-ceramic restorations always require Adhesive Luting using a low-expansion (‹1% terminal expansion) Dual-cure Resin Cement; Press-To-Metal® restorations, however, may be conventionally cemented in most cases,(unless using full open facial/buccal)

The preparatory steps for Adhesive Luting are as follows:

It is recommended that any glaze or ceramic debris be removed from the inside of the restorations using magnification and a small, round diamond bur (medium course). Lightly sandblast the internal surface with Al2O3 (50 micron Aluminum Oxide) @ a maximum of 20 psi. Place the restorations with the internal aspect face up in "Play-Doh™." The "Play-Doh" helps to protect the margins and layered/glazed surfaces from the Hydrofluoric Acid, and may be removed from the restorations by hand with very little effort.

Now that the restorations have been protected, apply 5-12 % HF (Hydrofluoric Acid) for 90 seconds to 5 minutes (depending upon the manufacturer’s recommendations. Rinse copiously, i.e. with lots of water and then ultrasonic for 4 minutes in 95% alcohol or distilled water. Air dry and confirm the absence of white residues White residues which are resistant to this process may be removed using a soft brush and alcohol. Do not silanate the restorations!

After the Dentist tries the restorations in the mouth, he must clean them with 37% Phosphoric Acid or ultrasonic clean them in denatured alcohol or distilled water for 4 minutes. Only after sequential execution of these critical steps may silanization of the restorations be performed and the subsequent bonding procedure be completed.

 

10. What should my dentist clients use to cement Authentic® Press-To-Metal® restorations with?

Any Resin-Ionomer or Hybrid-Ionomer cement which has a low terminal expansion of < 1 % or less. Polycarboxolate and Zinc Phosphate are contra-indicated materials. Microstar Corp. recommends subscriptions to "Reality Newsletter" and/or "The Dental Advisor," both of which contain critical evaluation and procedural information on cementation and bonding techniques. Also, Quintessence Publishing has a recent publication entitled, "Bonded Porcelain Restorations in the Anterior Dentition," by Pascal Magne PD, Dr. Med Dent & Urs Belser PD, Dr. Med Dent