THE ATTRACTIVE GLASS ABUTMENT SYSTEM (ZX-27)

THE ATTRACTIVE GLASS ABUTMENT SYSTEM (ZX-27)
A unique technique in prosthetic dentistry of the new millennium, a real
tool and new alternative for progressively thinking dentists and dental
technicians
(ZX logo)…IT IS FIXED ALL THE WAY !!!
What is ZX-27?
The glass abutment system is a unique alternative to replace the missing natural teeth
abutments needed to construct fixed prosthesis in the free-end saddle situations.
(ZX-27) is cemented inside the bridge framework from one end and adheres to the
alveolar mucosa at the others.
(ZX-27) Material
Years of trials and testing in Europe during the last 10 years resulted in this unique
glass material that can withstand the mastication forces as well as resist the chemical
environment of the oral cavity.
Choosing glass over other materials like metal and plastic is reasoned for fitting
limitations of these materials. General Glass has its limitations too when compared to
the neutral and pure ZX-27 glass. General glasses may leak toxins like barium and
lead over long term of contact with saliva as well as they may produce structural
cracks during heating and cooling processes in the laboratory that jeopardizes its
physical properties
Main Features of (ZX-27) Glass:
• Workability : Can be done in the traditional dental laboratory
• Solidity : The elastic coefficient falls within the range of 500–800 MPa,
its compression strength is 120 –150 Mpa/Kp/mm2.
• Chemical Resistance : Neutral material doesn’t contain neither barium
or lead.
• Melting Ability : 1550 – 1600 C
Indications Unilateral and bilateral
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Kennedy Class I
Kennedy Class II
Kennedy Class III
Class VI
Supporting long span bridges
In combination with implants
Basic Principles & Case Selection
1. Alveolar ridge condition: It is important to have relatively acceptable
boney structure with stable soft tissue covering since it takes the support
from that apparatus.
2. Strong Natural teeth abutments
3. The number of prepared teeth should equal the number of the replaced
teeth and the glass abutment is most of the times the last posterior
abutment.
4. The presence of an antagonist dentition is significant in order to activate
many special features in the Attractive Glass Abutment System (ZX-27)
like Even distribution of forces, Bone stimulation and Self-cleansing
mechanism.
If the case was suitable to utilize the glass abutment system, the only
thing you need to do it to prepare the natural teeth abutment and take a
proper final impression and the certified dental technician will take over.
Hygiene
Are you wondering how is possible to maintain the hygiene around the glass
abutment?
With the help of saliva washing ability, the glass abutment cleans itself through out its
self-cleansing mechanism due to the composition of the glass abutment material
which is extremely homogenous and free of porosities. Moreover that it has the ability
to replicate the finest details of the alveolar ridge out of the gypsum model to be
precisely placed in the patient mouth. These features are not present in ceramics,
metal or plastics.
Contraindications:
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6.
Excessive deep bite (space/clearance)
Unstable mobile natural abutments
Local pathologies
Mobile flabby tissue with (5-8mm) of lateral movement
Sharp alveolar ridge (knife-edge)
Sever Xerostomia
Checking for precision:
A-Stability Test : this is done out of the patient mouth on the gypsum model where
the glass abutment is placed on the burning sign. Check for the stability by directing a
vertical force on the tip of the glass abutment with your index finger.
B- Blanching Test : few drops of water is used to adhere the glass abutment to the
bridge framework for temporary fixation then do the following :
- Ask the patient to bite and check the seal between the glass abutment and the
alveolar mucosa with a periodental probe.
- Blanching of the mucosa should be present on full occlusion and disappears on
opening.
Keep in mind that this sign may vary in intensity and in time needed to be apparent as
sometimes it is a gradual process. So, careful examination is required.
C- Saliva Adhesion Sign
During the blanching test, ask the patient to open and close. Escaping of a small
amount of saliva from underneath the glass abutment on biting is considered to be a
positive sign.
Why choosing our system?
A- Providing patients with a fixed prosthesis instead of removable
B- There is absolutely no need for any surgical intervention or healing period
and that is a great advantage for the medically compromised patients who can't
undergo a surgical treatment.
C- Forces distribution : one of the most important advantage of the (ZX-27) is
the distribution scheme of the mastication forces over the FPD units. The
concave surface of the fitting surface of the glass abutment can transmit
smaller part of lateral stress to the convex gingiva surface, reducing this way
the lateral bending stress of the crown.
D- Bone reservation / regeneration under the glass abutment i.e. stimulation of
the osteoblastic activity and increase of the bone calcium (Ca) content. The
glass abutments moves around 3000 movement a day on the axial direction
besides its surface area is similar to the over lying crown as a result an
optimum magnitude of force will be directed toward the underlying bone which
stimulate the bone cells.
E- Gingival tissues reservation / regeneration.
F- Self-cleansing mechanism
G- Very affordable treatment option.
Cases