14th Mar, 2012

TAV Medical Ltd based in Schlomi, Israel, has introduced a new line of zirconia ceramic dental abutments, which the company now produces by ceramic injection moulding as opposed to the CNC machining previously used.  TAV reports that using zirconia has helped to increase the strength of the abutments by achieving a higher sintered density in the CIM process as well as improving dimensional accuracy of the abutment compared with the CNC material.

The company stated that the CIM process allows greater design freedom, such as allowing undercuts and angle holes to be incorporated into the zirconia part, which would be difficult to achieve with machining, and the required dimensions and surface quality were more controllable and consistent with CIM. Additionally, machining zirconia tended to generate micro cracking in the abutment body which increased the risk of breakage.

TAV Medical abutments are said to be designed to the common 2.41 mm internal hex, and they can be modified for any type of implant geometry to ensure a perfect fit. The company also produces Ti6Al4V Grade 23 MIM abutments and MIM stainless steel prosthetics at its 5000 m2 facility that includes ISO 8 clean rooms.

www.tavmedical.co.il