Ceramic restorations to top market by 2015

By DrBicuspid.com staff writers

January 13, 2011 -- All-ceramic crown and bridge restorations fabricated with CAD/CAM technology will grow from 40% of overall ceramic unit share to almost 70% in 2015, according to new research by Millennium Research Group (MRG).

Of the materials used to fabricate CAD/CAM restorations, high growth over the next five years in all-ceramic restorations will mainly stem from the segment of newer and alternative materials such as lithium disilicate, MRG said. Lithium disilicate, a glass-based ceramic, is gaining popularity due to its durability by monolithic structure, withstanding greater force than zirconia restorations with similar properties.

Industry experts and key opinion leaders are increasingly discussing the use of lithium disilicate, specifically Ivoclar Vivadent's IPS e.max, according to MRG.

"The IPS e.max combines lithium disilicate glass-ceramic with zirconium-based bridges, which increases the strength and durability of zirconia while maintaining aesthetics," said Carmen Chan, an analyst at MRG, in a press release. "Innovations such as these will improve ease of use and in turn, dentists' productivity, factors that are important to dentists when choosing one type of ceramic over another."

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