Dental prosthetics in record time – directly from the CAD/CAM milling unit instead of laboriously manufactured in the lab: Current developments in dental technology open up innovative possibilities. And they demand superior technologies: Because diamond-coated precision tools in the smallest dimensions are indispensable for the production of dental prosthetics from zirconium oxide blanks – for example, from the leading Taiwanese manufacturer IDI.
The demand is enormous: In Germany alone, around eight million people need dental prosthetics each year; with the increasing life expectancy of the population, this number will continue to grow. Globally, the prospects are also 'future-proof': With rising prosperity, the desire for aesthetic teeth accompanies all economically growing regions of the world. Consequently, the market for flawlessly manufactured dental prosthetics is steadily and reliably growing.
A transformation is noticeable in the production of dental prosthetics. The signs are pointing to efficiency: What was once nearly artisanal handwork in the dental lab is now being automated. Dental labs, but especially dental practices themselves, are increasingly relying on CAD/CAM milling units to manufacture crowns, bridges, and inlays from zirconium oxide blanks with precision.
In a digitized process, the dental arch is scanned and the data set is directly transferred to a milling program. Subsequently, the dental prosthetic is precisely worked out from the pre-manufactured blank – quickly, efficiently, and in the highest quality.
The ceramic material zirconium oxide impresses with durability, excellent aesthetics, and outstanding biocompatibility. However, it is also very abrasive and thus highly wear-intensive for the milling tools. Conventional mills quickly reach their limits here. Only diamond-coated tools ensure a process-safe and economical machining. They are the only technically convincing solution in this application field.
Advantage thanks to a strong technology partner
For tool manufacturers who already use diamond coatings for their quality tools for graphite machining, a significant market opportunity opens up in dental technology. They can transfer their know-how in the production of carbide mills in dimensions of a few tenths of a millimeter.
The demanding market of dental technology can also be perfectly served with high-performance coatings. In terms of tool geometries, material stress, and sizing, the requirements for graphite and zirconium oxide machining are comparable. For CemeCon partners, the step into this steadily growing future market is therefore small. The knowledge transfer into the new industry is quick and easily implementable.
Proven in practice: Diamond coatings for the dental market
How rewarding the step into the dental market can be is demonstrated by the example of the successful Taiwanese tool manufacturer IDI Precision Machinery Ltd. As one of the leading manufacturers of CAD/CAM milling tools for mold-making and dental technology, it supplies not only the Asian market but primarily the USA. In the dental sector, IDI's delivery program includes milling tools with diameters from 3 to 0.3 millimeters, each in precise variants for the milling units of the common industry providers.
In the diamond coating of its high-performance tools, IDI fully relies on quality from CemeCon. IDI consistently uses the service of the world's largest coating center in Würselen for all tools, thus achieving outstanding coating quality. With perfectly coordinated logistics, the partners manage the transport routes that the tools travel from Taichung back to Germany. Because the constant uniformity and homogeneity of the CemeCon coating on the delicate tools ensures an otherwise unmatched high milling quality with the smallest possible tolerances. A compelling argument that IDI uses to impress its customers, who in turn convince their clients – dentists and dental technicians with expertise and high quality standards. Thanks to tools with CemeCon diamond coatings, they can rely on high-quality, precise machining results with the highest reliability and the simplest handling.
CemeCon even coats tools with only 0.2 millimeters in diameter specifically for applications – here, the world market leader for diamond coatings showcases its more than two decades of experience in developing this technology in line with the most specific requirements.
Making a big business with micro-tools
At CemeCon, we are very proud to help our customers succeed in new and future-oriented business fields. 'The dental sector is much more than a niche market – it is a growth-driven technology driver that combines industrial thinking with medical demands,' summarizes Gerhard Hagedorn, CemeCon Product Manager, Diamond. 'For tool manufacturers with experience in the mini and micro area for graphite machining, this offers the opportunity to transfer their expertise to another high-margin sales market – without having to reinvent the wheel.' CemeCon is also happy to provide 'newcomers' with the decisive coating materials for machining the highly abrasive material. A great starting point for success is created by suitable tools with the right diamond coating in any case.
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