Each member of the KATANA Zirconia series possesses different translucency and mechanical properties, allowing them to cover a wide range of restorations. (Image: Kuraray Noritake Dental)

When it was first introduced to restorative dentistry in the early 2000s, zirconia was an opaque, unnatural-looking substance with a chalk-like whiteness. Two decades later, technological and material advances have meant that zirconia is now a highly aesthetic and durable ceramic solution for a variety of procedures. Leading the way is Kuraray Noritake Dental’s KATANA Zirconia series, which can now be integrated at every step of the restorative workflow.

One of the key reasons for zirconia’s improvements as a dental material is continued innovations in the powder that forms the basis of the discs. While a majority of dental zirconia manufacturers rely on a single shared provider of powder, Kuraray Noritake’s zirconia materials are unique in that they are produced in an end-to-end in-house process. From the proprietary powder technology through to disc pressing and pre-sintering, KATANA Zirconia is produced to ensure unparalleled purity and unmatched quality.

Multilayered technology

The indication range of KATANA Zirconia UTML, STML and HTML/HT. (Image: Kuraray Noritake Dental)

Three of the four types of KATANA Zirconia—UTML, STML and HTML—incorporate Kuraray Noritake’s original multilayered build-up technology. This innovative four-layer structure faithfully replicates the translucency and colour gradation of natural dentition, resulting in an eye-pleasing final restoration. Furthermore, each member of the KATANA Zirconia series possesses different translucency and mechanical properties, allowing clinicians to cover a wide range of anterior and posterior restorations.

A zirconia series embedded in a system of products

Thanks to Kuraray Noritake’s emphasis on research and development, the KATANA Zirconia family is embedded in a complete system of products for polishing, staining, glazing, porcelain veneering and cementation in order to deliver outstanding treatment outcomes.

Cerabien ZR FC Paste Stain is available in 27 different shades. (Image: Kuraray Noritake Dental)

CERABIEN ZR FC Paste Stain allows for the easy characterisation of full-contour zirconia restorations. Available in 27 different shades, it delivers an extremely controllable transparency that enables the creation of highly aesthetic restorations.

When cementing a zirconia restoration during the trial fitting stage, the new KATANA Cleaner will surely come in handy. This non-abrasive universal cleaner from Kuraray Noritake helps to remove contamination, thereby delivering the bond strength patients deserve. Its relatively low pH value of 4.5 also means that, unlike other dental cleaners, it can be used both intra-orally and extra-orally.

Of course, when finally cementing the restoration, the dentist needs to be confident that the cementation will be both reliable and durable. PANAVIA V5 is Kuraray Noritake’s strongest cement yet and offers unrivalled procedural simplicity and predictability. This amine-free paste is available in five different shades that have been scientifically demonstrated to exhibit less post-polymerisation colour variance than amine-based cements. For aesthetic and stable cementation, PANAVIA V5 is the best option.

It is clear that, with the translucent KATANA Zirconia series and these associated products, Kuraray Noritake has established a fully integrated system that can work for almost any prosthetic workflow. KATANA Zirconia is key to durable metal-free restorations.