Focus published in 2023 in collaboration with Lithoz, with Daniel Bomze, then Director of Medical Solutions. Reported performance and projects reflect the supplier’s information at that time.
Dental restorations can use metals, ceramics and other materials depending on the indication. For me, the memory of a metal crown contrasts with the aesthetic possibilities of ceramics. My conversation with Daniel Bomze focused on one option: lithium disilicate, a glass-ceramic whose translucency can help reproduce the appearance of a natural tooth.
If you’re a regular reader of 3D ADEPT Media with a keen interest in healthcare 3D printing applications, then the name of Daniel Bomze may be familiar to you. The Director of Medical Solutions at ceramic 3D printing company Lithoz sat down with 3D ADEPT Media last year to discuss the factors to consider when exploring technical ceramics in medical Additive Manufacturing and why they are a good fit for dental applications. One of the key highlights of our conversation was that Zirconia, ATZ and ZTA – all part of Lithoz’ materials portfolio – could be processed with the company’s Lithography-based Ceramic Manufacturing (LCM) technology to achieve the mass production of certain dental applications.
Since our conversation, Lithoz has deepened its collaboration with Metoxit, a Swiss high-tech ceramics company that develops oxide ceramics. Together, they are exploring dental applications with ceramic AM. “With Metoxit, we are currently exploring the use of ATZ (Alumina-Toughened Zirconia) to develop dental implants. Separately, we are also investigating the possibility of producing a wide range of devices such as burrs or milling tools. On the other hand, we are also working with a University on some applications surrounding this topic that we will hopefully release soon. The truth is, a lot of people now go for metal-free solutions when it comes to dental implantology. They pay a lot to have solutions with other materials such as Zirconia and ATZ but their use is often combined with some standard processes. When we realized that some manufacturers also provide some ceramic burrs, we decided to further explore the use of these materials for dental applications achieved with ceramic additive manufacturing – knowing that the advantages of the technology (freedom of design, and the ability to achieve various geometries) will play to our strengths to achieve applications with better results.”
In the same vein, Lithium Disilicate, the glass-ceramic material acknowledged for its translucency (which means it can match the color of one’s natural teeth), is widely used for dental restorations such as crowns and veneers.
Lithium disilicate is a crystalline phase within a glass matrix; it is not simply lithium added to ordinary glass. At IDS 2023, Lithoz and Ivoclar presented a formulation based on IPS e.max powder for LCM technology. Their examples included 0.3 mm veneers. That figure is not a suitable thickness for every clinical situation.
The various manufacturing processes of Lithium Disilicate material
The interview compares three manufacturing routes. Heat-pressing uses a lost-wax technique: the restoration is modelled first, then the material is pressed into the prepared mould.
Milling uses diamond tools to shape a block. For IPS e.max CAD blocks, machining takes place before final crystallization; firing then develops the final properties. Timing depends on equipment and workflow.
In Lithography-based Ceramic Manufacturing, or LCM, ceramic particles are dispersed in a photosensitive resin. Light solidifies the mixture layer by layer. Debinding and firing remove the binder and consolidate the ceramic. Dimensional inspection, finishing and validation for the intended use remain necessary.
The table summarizes the points discussed in the interview. It compares manufacturing approaches rather than providing a clinical ranking or independent benchmark.
| Process | Potential benefits discussed | Points to assess |
|---|---|---|
| Heat-pressing | A process familiar to dental technicians; several restorations may be produced from one ingot. Equipment investment and material cost depend on the job and setup. | Model and mould accuracy, pressing parameters, finishing and labour time. |
| Milling | An established digital workflow and properties suited to some restorations after appropriate heat treatment and finishing. | Tool wear, access to details, machining defects, removed material and cost per restoration. Throughput is system-dependent; milling is not universally limited to one veneer or a five-day turnaround. |
| LCM | Customized geometries grouped on a build platform. Lithoz reported up to 100 restorations per build on the CeraFab System S65 Medical, depending on size and arrangement. | Firing shrinkage, debinding, finishing, material validation and complete-workflow capacity. Material savings and the two-to-three-day turnaround discussed in the interview depend on the application. |
The material-loss figures discussed in the interview — up to 80% for milling versus less than 10% for LCM — are supplier comparisons without a detailed test protocol supplied here. They do not represent every case.
Ceramics are sensitive to defects and brittle fracture; their behaviour cannot be summarized as universally low flexural strength. Lithoz cited a 470–530 MPa range for lithium disilicate in this discussion. Comparing pressed, milled and printed parts requires the same material, preparation and test method; clinical equivalence does not follow from that number alone.
Turnaround depends on the complete workflow. Some chairside milling systems allow a single-visit restoration, so AM has no universal timing advantage. In the interview, Bomze says: “no maintenance is required. Once the restoration is 3D printed, the success of the treatment depends on the expertise of a dentist,”. This comment does not remove the need for oral hygiene, dental follow-up or restoration checks.
In addition to the technical advantages that may result from the use of ceramic AM with Lithium Disilicate, I have been impressed with the different cases or scenarios where this technology can add value:
“For people that have diastema for instance [a gap or space between the teeth], a minimum invasive treatment can be performed to address the issue. In this case, no-prep veneers are a great application candidate for ceramic AM,”, Bomze explains. A dentist must assess whether no-prep veneers are indicated. Individualization and finishing may take place on a model or after bonding in the mouth: this does not mean printing a veneer directly inside the patient’s mouth.
Moving forward…
In 2023, Lithoz identified the US as its planned first market, subject to approval. Its brochure at the time stated that FDA clearance had not been obtained when it was printed. The interview also discussed a multimaterial project combining two forms of lithium disilicate. Bomze concluded: “If the results of this project are conclusive, this application will be a game-changer in the digital dentistry field,” These expectations describe work announced at that date, not its current status.
This content was written in collaboration with Lithoz.
A few words on Lithoz & Daniel Bomze
Founded in 2011, Lithoz develops ceramic 3D printing materials and systems, including for dental and medical applications. At the 2023 interview, the company reported around 150 employees and four locations, exports accounting for almost all production and ISO 9001 certification since 2016. These details describe the company at that time.
Dr. Daniel Bomze is a polymer chemist by training and received his Ph.D. from TU Wien. In his Ph.D. thesis, which was conducted at the Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, Dr. Bomze developed alternative irradiation-based curing methods for epoxy resins. He started his professional career as a freelance web application engineer as well as a project assistant at the TU Wien. Dr. Bomze acquired broad experience in materials research in different areas and is the author of numerous publications and patents. Starting from November 2016, he was employed as a medical business developer at Lithoz. In 2019, he became head of the medical business unit, which also includes dental applications. Starting from 2022, Dr. Bomze is Director of the Medical Solutions division at Lithoz.
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