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 • • • • • • 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: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 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