Amann Girrbach presented digital workflow at the IDS 2023

True to the motto "Connect to the (Work-)Flow", Amann Girrbach presented the complete process chain of dental prosthetics at the IDS in Cologne, the world's leading trade fair for the dental industry, from March 14 to 18, 2023. The focus centered on digital workflows for dentists and laboratories, all connected and organized via the AG.Live cloud platform. The company also showcased product innovations such as the revolutionary Zolid Bion zirconia and the development of a TPO-free 3D printing material. Activities at the trade show were rounded off with a total of 34 presentations and training sessions by 21 international speakers.

Amann Girrbach covers the entire dental prosthetics process chain. "Regardless of the indication or requirement, we offer the appropriate workflow solution which is both simple and intuitive for the user in the laboratory and the dental practice. Validated workflows ensure high process safety, reproducible results and more economical working. All the system modules, machines, software components and materials are optimally matched to each other. At the same time, the systems are sufficiently open to allow users to remain flexible in the design of their individual processes and to integrate existing machines," explains Wolfgang Reim, CEO of Amann Girrbach. In a total of 34 presentations, international users provided information about the benefits of Amann Girrbach workflow solutions at the IDS. Following the IDS, all presentations are also available online at: academy.amanngirrbach.com

Ceramill DRS system solution and AG.Live cloud platform for single-visit-dentistry

With the modular Ceramill DRS System, Amann Girrbach creates flexible options for straightforward digital prosthetic workflows. Three kits which can be combined with each other are available. The Ceramill DRS System offers a wide range of options, particularly in the field of same-day-dentistry or single-visit-dentistry: the laboratory can fabricate high-quality restorations within a single day. Simple restorations of excellent quality can even be fabricated chairside in a single session in the dental practice, whereby the option of using a design service by the laboratory is also given. The AG.Live cloud platform plays an integral role here. "By linking the Ceramill DRS System to AG.Live, it is possible for dental technicians and dentists to share information in an uncomplicated manner and to flexibly arrange the distribution of work," explains Elena Bleil, Product Manager at Amann Girrbach. With the AG.Live cloud platform, patient cases are managed centrally in compliance with the GDPR and HIPPA. The users can exchange information on the cases directly on the platform, including the required files. The linking of AG.Live with the Ceramill machines from Amann Girrbach brings numerous benefits in the laboratory and the dental practice: ranging from material management to software updates and support, the processes are simplified. "It is important to us that we have created an open, validated eco-system with AG.Live in which intraoral scanners from other manufacturers can also be integrated without any problems. AG.Live also offers all the advantages of an open workflow for creating the design of the restoration or for commissioning complete fabrication - with maximum security and ease of use," explains Christian Ermer, Vice President Marketing & Digital at Amann Girrbach. AG.Live can be accessed from any Internet-enabled device.

New Zolid Bion zirconia: the gamechanger revolutionizes the market

With over 15 years experience in zirconia development and three years of joint development work together with zirconia powder supplier Tosoh, Amann Girrbach presented a new material at the IDS: a revolutionary, high-performance zirconia is now available under the name Zolid Bion, which takes the esthetics and naturalness of restorations to a new level without sacrificing strength. The material features a smooth color gradient, increased translucency in the incisal area and a consistent strength of 1,100 MPa, giving restorations an even more natural appearance and ensuring a safe fabrication workflow. In addition, crowns made of Zolid Bion can be high-speed sintered in just 45 minutes - a property which Zolid Bion offers as the first zirconia in its class. "Zirconia is the CAD/CAM material par excellence. For almost two years now, so-called 3D zirconias have been increasingly appearing on the market, which offer some advantages with regard to esthetics in the area of the incisal edge. Until now, however, compromises had to be made in the interests of strength. Zolid Bion has succeeded in combining esthetics, strength and rapid sintering capability in an optimum manner. It is a real game changer", says a delighted Melanie Röschmann, Director Global Business Unit - Consumables at Amann Girrbach. MDT Luis Saraiva was also enthusiastic about the new zirconia: "As the newest member of the Zolid family, Zolid Bion allows us to offer an even wider spectrum of esthetic solutions made of zirconia. Zolid Bion is a milestone in the field of esthetics." Zolid Bion is available in 16 Vita shades and in two Bleach variants - all in different blank heights.

Innovative 3D printing materials and 100% digital model fabrication

As innovations and as a preview of upcoming product launches, Amann Girrbach presented new 3D printing materials. With its own development and production of innovative 3D printing materials, Amann Girrbach continues to expand its professional know-how and offers users future-oriented materials. The Ceramill XTP materials portfolio will initially start with materials for precise model fabrication (Ceramill XTP Model) as well as a special model material for the fabrication of thermally stable models for the thermoforming/aligner technology (Ceramill XTP Ortho Model). Ceramill XTP stands for "excluding TPO". TPO is the most commonly used photoinitiator for light-curing dental polymers. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is currently considering classifying TPO as a CMR substance, thereby increasing its hazardous substance classification. An alternative photoinitiator was therefore sought for the development of Ceramill XTP to avoid the health-endangering potential of TPO and, in particular, to ensure a high level of user protection. "Improved material properties and sedimentation stability contribute to easier and faster processing. The model materials will be available in three shades well-known and established in manual model making. The Ortho Model material is available in a conventional blue and is characterized by very high temperature stability, as is required for the thermoforming process," says Falko Noack, Vice President Research and Development at Amann Girrbach, explaining the technical features.

In addition, Amann Girrbach creates a link between the digital and analog model workflow with the new Artex Digiloc adapter for Artex articulators: articulators can be easily integrated into the fully digital process chain with the Artex Digiloc adapter. This eliminates the need for elaborate, plaster-based workarounds to articulate digitally produced 3D printed models in the Artex system. The adapter acts as model fixator for 3D-printed precision models made of the new Ceramill XTP 3D printing material. "Inserting the 3D-printed models into the articulator is very easy. The printed positioning pins eliminate the need for additional fixation aids and ensure accurate x/y positioning. Z-positioning is also precise due to the defined support bars on the fixator plates. Flat trimming of the print supports is no longer necessary owing to intelligent model base design," emphasizes Falko Noack and concludes: "The benefits of the digital workflow can be fully exploited as a result."

About Amann Girrbach

As a pioneer in dental CAD/CAM technology, Amann Girrbach is one of the leading innovators and preferred full-service providers in digital dental prosthetics. With its high degree of expertise in development and commitment to customer orientation, the company offers sophisticated workflow solutions in which the AG.Live software ecosystem plays a central role. High-quality materials, a dedicated technical service with a global helpdesk, as well as educational offers and training courses round off the portfolio. Its customers in around 100 countries are made up of dental laboratories and dental practices. Amann Girrbach employs a total of around 600 people worldwide. In addition to the R&D and production sites in Koblach (headquarters) and Rankweil (Austria), Amann Girrbach operates sales offices in Pforzheim (Germany), Verona (Italy), Jossigny (France), Charlotte (USA), Singapore (city), Curitiba (Brazil), Beijing (China) as well as Kyoto (Japan).