Metal-Free Esthetic Restorations: Procera Concept

  • C.E. Francischone &
  • L.W. Vasconcelos
Surrey: Quintessence, 2003 price £57, pp 100 ISBN 8587425498 | ISBN: 8-587-42549-8

This slim book of just over 100 pages is full of excellent photographs of clinical and laboratory procedures covering the Procera system. For about half the cost of a Procera crown from a laboratory the reader will discover the possibilities with this aesthetic material. Organised into two parts, Part One covers the Procera system and Part Two covers new clinical indications.

The book begins with an introduction to the Procera concept for the new user, explaining the properties and indications of this aesthetic ceramic material. The text is well presented with an easy to read style, concise and informative, with pertinent illustrations throughout. While the book covers the materials available within the Procera range, readers may seek further clarity about the different indications, for example Procera AllCeram, Procera AllTitan and Procera AllZirkon — which are all listed as the same.

Preparation design is covered and a novel method of tooth preparation where the margin is prepared first — without axial wall reduction — is illustrated. Although the photos are good quality, they portray a dentoform model. Some schematic diagrams of the ideal tooth preparations and clinical cases would be welcome. Techniques for anterior and posterior teeth are described as well as preparation guidelines for CerAdapt abutments.

The text goes on to describe an impression technique where individual acrylic copings are fabricated at chairside on each preparation. These are then used to record the impression with a polyether wash. This impression technique is not popular in the UK and readers will probably use more familiar techniques in addition to cured silicone materials. There is no mention of disinfection procedures, but the laboratory stages are covered, again with clear illustrations and minimal text based on the use of the 0.6mm thick standard Procera opaque copings.

Although the first part of the book may lack the detail some may be seeking on the Procera system, it does provide a superb introduction to the use of this proven aesthetic system and would thus be well-suited to new users. The second part of the book goes on to provide in-depth application of Procera in other situations, which will be of interest to more experienced clinicians.

Part Two describes new clinical indications such as veneers, yet the impressive case illustrated actually shows a ¾ crown preparation rather than a more conventional veneer preparation — which explains the notable outcome.

I found the section on the new translucent copings and also the use of thinner (0.4mm) copings of particular interest. Another section describes the elimination of the Procera shoulder region and its replacement with shoulder ceramic to provide more cervical translucency when desired. Procera AllCeram three-unit bridges are considered with the ceramic soldering procedure illustrated in detail. A section on custom Procera abutments shows how they can be used to enhance implant retained crowns.

Procera AllZirkon is a new restorative option with very high fracture resistance but more opaque than the standard coping. The book finishes with a short description of the ARK project for CAD design enabling virtual surgical and prosthetic treatments based on Procera technology.

Overall, this text is of the first-rate quality we have come to expect from Quintessence. Providing reasonable depth of detail, it is easy to read and good value at £57. However, it is probably the quality and clarity of the illustrations that make this book of particular value for both new users and also those who want to go further with the Procera system.