Step-by-step with KOMET's ZR™ Flash Polishers™

Lab technicians worldwide want high-performance precision instruments, but they also want simplification-not an abundance of different widgets, each for a different application, cluttering the lab bench.

With the increasing use of all-ceramic restorations, including those made of zirconium oxide, feldspathic porcelain, lithium disilicate, aluminum oxide and other high-strength ceramic materials, dental labs look for a minimum number of instruments that can work together on an array of today’s ceramic materials to streamline adjustment and polishing procedures. Ideally, these selected instruments also would address ceramic adjustment and polishing of more traditional porcelain-fused-to-metal restorations. 

To meet the preliminary and final polishing requirements of high-strength ceramic materials, ZR™ Flash Polishers™ from KOMET USA have been developed to efficiently smooth and impart a high shine when employed for the final polishing of restorations fabricated of zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, lithium disilicate and pressed ceramics. Incorporating interspersed diamonds of consistently reliable high performance and long service life, KOMET ZR Flash Polishers produce an outstanding sheen in just two steps, each of which can be easily identified by the color of the ZR Flash Polisher: Blue for smoothing and pre-polishing procedures, and light-gray for high-shine final polishing. 

Each color polisher is available in three shapes and sizes to meet the demands of multiple tasks: 94011 C (blue) and 94011 F (light gray) measure 26 mm in diameter and 2.0 mm thick; 94012 C (blue) and 94012 F (light gray) measure 11 mm in diameter and 2.5 mm thick; and 94013 C (blue) and 94013 F (light gray) measure 17 mm in diameter and 2.5 mm thick. The lab line of polishers for high-strength ceramics now also includes 16.5-mm-long, flame-shaped ZR Flash Polishers in blue and light-gray versions. Each polisher features a golden shank to readily distinguish it from other abrasives, thus enhancing efficiency and productivity.

Full Zirconia Crowns

01 The knife-edge, large-diameter (26 mm) ZR Flash Polishers are applied to pre-polish (Fig. A) and apply a high-sheen final polish (Fig. B) to a full zirconia crown.

02 The blue pre-polishers also are suitable for making minor adjustments to zirconia substructures, which often return from the milling stage and require adjustments. Because it allows minimally aggressive operation, the pre-polisher was applied to yield a satisfactory margin. (Figs. C, D and E). The instrument cut smoothly, produced no flaking of the material, and resisted material over-heating while still providing the desired reduction.

The light-gray final polisher also can be used to polish the areas that needed slight adjustments. Whether at the tip of the canine where an adjustment was made to flatten it slightly or at the distal corners that required rounding, the polisher proved ideal for final polishing in areas that required any further minor adjustments.

Pressed and Layered Ceramics

01 The ZR Flash Polishers also can be used to adjust pressed and layered ceramics, including feldspathic porcelain and lithium disilicate. The blue and light-gray polishers can be employed to contour line angles and incisal edges as well as to tweak anatomy for more natural, esthetic results (Figs. F, G, H, I, J, K, L and M).

02 To smooth sprue areas after pressing and to contour interproximal areas, apply one of the blue pre-polishers to the areas that were removed (Figs. N and O).

PFM Restorations

01 Pre-polishing and final polishing instruments can be used for adjusting occlusion and contacts on a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown(Figs. P, Q, R, S and T).

02 Occasionally, when finishing a porcelain-fused-to-metal restoration, a small pit or open contact might be discovered, and after the alloy has gone back to the furnace to facilitate corrections, it requires repolishing. The light-gray final polishers prove ideal for this situation. (Fig. U).