In February 2025, we spoke to Fabdent’s Karim about his experience with Dentaurum ceraMotion® Z zirconia: ceraMotion® Z in practice.
This follow-up case explores the vital elements of natural aesthetics in reconstructive dentistry and how attractive and natural dental aesthetics boost patients' self-confidence and well-being.
Karim explains: “Teeth are not white blocks. They are small pieces of landscape, shaping light with gentle curves and textures that make them look alive. When a restorative material behaves like teeth, a case stops looking like dentistry and starts looking like the person themselves”.
“It is important to distinguish between cosmetic and aesthetic dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry seeks refinement beyond nature. Think of the Hollywood white, extreme uniformity and the deliberate enhancement that abruptly stands out. Aesthetic dentistry, by contrast, is about seamless integration. It is when a smile is perfect yet subtle, present but not pronounced. It considerably elevates a patient’s confidence and sense of well-being because it is natural and does not seek to make them, or at least their teeth, stand out.
“That is the essence of aesthetic dentistry.”
The case pictured in this study belongs to an older, retired lady with a down-to-earth disposition. Her existing teeth had naturally darkened with age. She also happened to have darker skin, which can accentuate overly bright teeth. So, colour control and translucency were paramount.
“The case involved an upper full-arch on multi-unit abutments. The patient's dentist surgically placed six dental implants as anchorage points for a hybrid titanium bar to screw into.”
The patient and dentist discussed the patient’s desire for a clean, bright smile that would look naturally beautiful without the obvious hints of restorative work. The goal was not Hollywood perfection, but an attractive, natural look, while not drawing attention to it specifically.
Karim planned a monolithic design, relying on the translucency incorporated in the ceraMotion® Z zirconia. Line angles were used to proportion the teeth, guide light, and create harmony in line with the golden ratio. Surface texture added through secondary and tertiary anatomy meant the final result would read as hydrated and natural, not glossy and flat.
“For this full-arch case, I wanted an outcome that would hold up under all daylight variations, not just operatory light. The material needed to carry strength across a long span while maintaining a believable translucency gradient from cervical to incisal. To achieve this, I worked with ceraMotion® Z HT Multishade zirconia by Dentaurum. Its natural flow of translucency allowed me to shape teeth that sit comfortably in the mouth, while its high flexural strength provided the assurance of a durable, long-term restoration”.
Karim continued: “A full arch lives in the real world. Patients clench, talk, laugh, and eat without constantly thinking of their restoration. One of the most significant challenges is the loss of natural proprioception – the body’s ability to sense its own position. Teeth carry nerves that tell a person how hard they bite, when they are grinding, or when pressure builds in a way that might cause damage. Implants, by contrast, provide no such feedback. Patients often remain unaware of the forces they place on their restorations until wear or fracture makes it visible”.
“Strength is not optional; protecting against this hidden load is essential. The zirconia chosen must be able to absorb repeated stress - ceraMotion sits in the high-megapascal bracket, providing the resilience needed for long-span bridges and full-arch work. This strength does not come at the expense of translucency, gradience, or opalescence, allowing aesthetics to be maintained without compromising functional durability”.
ceraMotion® Z Hybrid by Dentaurum
Post-Sintering – A natural flow of translucency.
Aesthetic dentistry. A brilliant result.
This case demonstrates how a carefully planned workflow, supported by reliable material, can deliver a predictable and lasting full-arch outcome - ceraMotion® Z HT Multishade by Dentaurum provided the properties needed to meet clinical and laboratory demands, while remaining straightforward to handle through each stage of the process.
The dentist and patient reported excellent results regarding fit, comfort, and aesthetics. The combination of translucence, colour accuracy, and extremely high levels of strength provided by ceraMotion® Z sets a new standard for reconstructive dentistry's aesthetic appearance and durability.
The six different ceraMotion® Z blanks cover all zirconium oxide-based indications and offer maximum reliability in shading and processing. State-of-the-art materials technology within a logical overall concept makes ceraMotion® Z the smart choice for natural all-ceramic restorations, created to meet high demands.
By Yahya Karim
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Yahya Karim Director, Fabdent Dental Products and Services Born in Oslo, Norway, Karim completed studies in the UK and Australia. He specialises in dental prosthetics and has a strong interest in digital dentistry. Karim is passionate about surgical and cosmetic restorative cases and works closely with Maxillofacial surgeons and cosmetic dentists. |
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Terry Whitty Owner and Founder, Fabdent Dental Products and Services Terry Whitty is a well-known dental technology key opinion leader, consultant and author. With over 40 years of experience in dental technology, he lectures regularly both nationally and internationally on various subjects related to dental technology and material science. He has been presented with the Diplome d’Honneur at the Paris International Dental Film Festival for innovative digital case presentations, and has received numerous other awards and accolades. |
Since its inception almost 140 years ago, Dentaurum has worked closely with dental clinics and labs. Our products are developed in close collaboration with clinicians, an approach that results in refinement through practice.
Articles and case studies such as this are intended to share approaches and experiences among the dental community. If you have a story to tell, please contact us.
"A better Zirconia. ceraMotion® Z in practice with Karim, Fabdent"
'Why I prefer Dentaurum's zirconia' - Terry Whitty, Fabdent