Ivoclar Vivadent has unleashed a new product on to the dental market - its sintering furnace Programat S1.
The equipment allows zirconium oxide crowns to be sintered in the space of just 90 minutes and boasts a lightweight and compact design.
Available to clients globally from October 2009 onwards, the new product's appeal lies in its speedy sintering period, which saves energy and reduces the time needed for the manufacturing of zirconium oxide restorations.
Conventional models require around five to eight hours to complete the sintering process, but the efficiency of the Programat S1 means that crowns and bridges on zirconium oxide frameworks can be fabricated within one working day.
The total weight of the unit is 28 kilogrammes and its operating status display allows for checking the process easily from a distance.
Another product to be added to the Ivoclar Vivadent portfolio within the last month is the OptraDam plus - an improved version of the company's original dam allowing for the greater isolation of the operating area.
