Dental materials are evolving at a remarkable pace. What was considered standard ten years ago — the metal-ceramic crown or composite veneer — is today often surpassed by alternatives that are superior in aesthetic, mechanical, and biological terms. Here are the biomaterials defining modern dentistry in 2025.
Next-Generation Zirconia: From Monolithic to Multilayer
Zirconia has practically replaced metal as the material of choice in dental prosthetics. But the zirconia of 2025 is no longer the same as it was 10 years ago:
- Translucent monolithic zirconia (Y-TZP high-translucency): mechanical strength of 800–1,200 MPa combined with translucency close to natural enamel. Ideal for posterior crowns and implants.
- Multilayer stratified zirconia: color gradient integrated into the milling block, without additional surface ceramic. Reduces the risk of ceramic layer fractures.
- Ultra-translucent zirconia (5Y-PSZ, cubic): maximum translucency for anterior restorations; lower strength (500–700 MPa), but more than sufficient for front crowns.
Clinics with in-house CAD/CAM laboratories can mill high-quality zirconia crowns in 24–48 hours, eliminating external laboratories and reducing costs.
PEEK: The Transitional Material of Implantology
PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) is a high-performance thermoplastic polymer gaining ground in implantology and prosthodontics:
- Modulus of elasticity similar to bone — distributes forces more physiologically than titanium, reducing peri-implant bone resorption
- Radiotransparent — creates no artifacts on CT and X-rays, facilitating monitoring
- Biocompatible — does not trigger allergic or rejection reactions
- Antibacterial through surface modification — variants with silver nanoparticles reduce bacterial colonization
PEEK limitations: its smooth surface does not favor direct osseointegration. Therefore, PEEK abutments and superstructures are used primarily in prosthodontics, not as implants per se — although research on titanium-PEEK hybrid implants is promising.
Bioactive Materials: Self-Regenerating Enamel?
One of the most exciting directions in dental materials research is bioactivity — the ability of a material to stimulate remineralization or regeneration of dental tissue:
- Ceramic-reinforced glass ionomers with active fluoride release and dentin remineralization capability
- Bioceramic cements (Biodentine, MTA) — used in root canal treatments and direct pulp capping; excellent biocompatibility and superior sealing ability
- Composites with bioactive nanoparticles — researched for fillings that actively inhibit secondary caries recurrence
Complete enamel regeneration remains in the laboratory stage for now, but EU-funded projects and Japanese and Chinese laboratories have demonstrated the formation of oriented hydroxyapatite prisms on dentin substrates in vitro.
Hybrid Ceramics: The Best of Both Worlds
Hybrid ceramics (Vita Enamic, Cerasmart) combine a three-dimensional ceramic network with an infiltrated polymer phase:
- Intermediate rigidity between composite and ceramic — absorb impacts better than pure ceramic, reducing fracture risk
- Easy CAD/CAM processing — rapid milling, reduced bur wear compared to zirconia
- Excellent aesthetic appearance — similar to feldspathic ceramic
- Repairability — unlike zirconia, hybrid ceramics can be repaired with direct composite in the office
They are frequently used for inlays, onlays, and crowns in the aesthetic zone for patients with moderate bruxism.
Implications for Patients
All these developments translate practically into:
- Crowns and veneers with an increasingly natural appearance, harder to distinguish from natural teeth
- Increased durability — modern materials withstand masticatory forces better
- Faster procedures — chairside CAD/CAM sometimes allows crown fabrication in the same session
- Superior biocompatibility — fewer adverse reactions, less post-placement discomfort
ClickDent partner clinics exclusively use materials from CE-certified manufacturers, ensuring that patients benefit from the best options available today on the European market.