HT's - A Powerful Tool for any Ceramist

BY SANG K. JUN, CDT AND JOHN SLANSKI, MANAGER OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, JENSEN INDUSTRIES

CREATION'S HT POWDERS, or "Neck Translucents," are a very special and often misunderstood part of the porcelain system. While experienced ceramists favor the HTs, new users often overlook these powders during a build-up.

The HTs are high chroma, highly translucent porcelains that can be used in many areas of a crown. Because of their intense color, they can effectively raise chroma and add translucency without appreciably lowering value. In other words, HTs add translucency similarly to SIs, TIs, and other translucents in the porcelain system without turning the crown gray.

The name "neck translucent" is appropriate. Natural teeth usually display an intensification of chroma near the gum-line, or "neck area" of a tooth. This effect is easily simulated by overlaying HT powders on the dentin in this area of the crown. HT-53 is particularly useful for this and complements virtually every shade.

Because HTs are so translucent, much of the final perceived color comes from the dentins and ODs underneath the layer of HT. That means that even if the HT powder itself does not exactly match the desired shade, a thin overlay of HT-53 will enhance the look of the final product. In fact, because this chroma enrichment near the gingival is also seen on the Vita Lumin® shade guide, the perception may be a more accurate representation.

HT applications are not limited to the gingival third. HT-52 and HT-53 are warm, soft colors that are extremely well suited for incisal and occlusal areas of older teeth. In the incisal, intensity can be controlled by diluting the HT with incisal translucents. HT-51 is a soft white iridescent ceramic that is often used to brighten the incisal. HT-55 is a darker color and can be used in the fossa of occlusals.

HTs are extremely valuable for controlling the color on custom shades. When a tooth is between Vita shades, choose the closest Vita shade towards the light side. Then overlay with HT-52 or HT-53 to match the custom shade perfectly. For example, if the patient is between A2 and A3, start with A2 and overlay HT-53 to bring the chroma up to the desired shade.

If you're currently using just dentins, ODs, and incisals in your work, the HTs offer the next step in aesthetic tooth reproduction with very low risk.

It's hard to get into trouble if you stick to the more mild colors, like HT-52 and HT-53 and, at least in the beginning, limit yourself to the gingival aspect of your crowns. Try HT-53 on your next basic A3, using just a thin overlay near the gingival. You'll see a difference, and can gradually work yourself into more diverse applications.  

Any questions? Please call Jensen's Technical Department at 800-243-2000

Revision 0, 3/19/99