New High-Translucent Cubic-Phase-Containing Zirconia: Clinical and Laboratory Considerations and the Effect of Air Abrasion on Strength.

Fabricating all-ceramic restorations with minimal or no application of a secondary phase while maintaining esthetics has been a sought-after goal of the dental profession. The objective has been development of a monolithic material with optical properties similar to the natural tooth without the need for layering porcelain. This article examines some of the newer cubic zirconia materials used in a monolithic form. The authors discuss laboratory-processing issues that affect esthetics, including evaluation of colorizing, sintering, finishing, and polishing, and assess initial translucency testing of several materials while evaluating the effect of air abrasion on flexural strength of these cubic zirconias. Lastly, the article demonstrates an anterior single-unit monolithic case with several of the newer materials.