Recently,we’ve been asked by our clients like “are there pros and or cons to wet milling zirconia instead of milling it dry”,that remind us there stills are lots of labs using wet milling technology for zirconia crown,bridge processing. as a part of customer support,we gonna analyze here how they work and which materials are recommend for both the drying milling and wet milling processing.
Wet Milling
Wet milling uses distilled water with an additive that works as a coolant for the tools and material that is being milled. Wet mills need to be cleaned on a regular basis to remove the material that has collected in the mill. When considering the purchase of a wet mill, it is very important to determine how easy it is to access the coolant tank and filter, since you will be changing and cleaning these out weekly, in most cases.
Dry Milling
Dry milling uses pressurized air and a vacuum to remove material particles. Even with this it will still need to be cleaned out from time to time, so it is important when looking at a dry mill to choose one that allows easy access with a vacuum.
As a refresher, the type of material being milled is what makes the difference in what type of milling you will perform. Generally, zirconia, wax and PMMA (an methacrylate resin for temporaries) are milled using a dry mill. Zirconia and PMMA may also be milled using a wet mill. Wet milling is required when milling glass-ceramics, such as lithium disilicate, and also when milling feldspathic porcelains and composite resins. Titanium is a metal that requires wet milling. Cobalt chromium is generally milled in a wet mill but may in certain instances be milled dry.
Which materials are recommended processed with wet milling?
titanium disc for precision-milling of titanium crowns, bridges, bars, and dental implant applications. Used with low-fusing ceramics, vsmile titanium disc enables technicians to create aesthetic, precise restorations in the anterior and posterior.
Lithium disilicate, feldsphatic ceramics and more. These materials offer superior aesthetics through high levels of translucency and are indicated for small restorations such as crowns, inlays, onlays, veneers and small bridges.
Which materials are recommended processed with dry milling?
A versatile metal-free material known for its strength. It is indicated for the production of crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, veneers and full arches. As an aesthetic material that can be layered in ceramic, or as a full monolithic restoration. Recent developments have seen significant improvements in levels of translucency
Polyether Ether Ketone. This is a high performance polymer alternative to metal, ideally suited to removable and implant retained prosthetic frameworks, with a modulus of elasticity similar to bone. This level of shock absorbance is very important for patients presenting a heavy bite stress.
A methacrylate resin for temporary crowns and bridges. A very light material that is available in all VITA® shades and also multi-shaded discs.
From copings to partial frameworks, wax is a very popular affordable material that is widely used by dental laboratories.
