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Lava™ Lab

Lava™ Precision solutions

We integrate digital technology and material science in an intuitive way to help dentists and labs improve productivity while offering superior oral care.

Lava™ Precision Solutions

It's easy to offer

It's easy for dentists and labs to offer Lava™ restorations without investing in hardware.

Lava™ Indications

Indications

Get more from your Lava investment. Tap into resources available from 3M ESPE.

Lava™ Business models

Flexible business models for labs

3M ESPE offers three business models that make it possible for any size of lab to offer genuine Lava™.

Lava™ Chairside Oral Scanner

Lava™ Chairside Oral Scanner C.O.S.

3M ESPE will soon offer digital impressioning with Lava C.O.S.

Lava™ Precision Solutions

Authenticate your Lava™ restoration

How do you know you have a Guinine Lava™ Restoration

    

Lava Before and After photos

Photography courtesy of Ariel Raigrodski, DMD, MS

Every day more dentists ask their lab for the Lava brand from 3M ESPE. Lava restorations are made with Lava zirconia and are designed and milled with the innovative Lava CAD/CAM system. The combination of materials and precision milling produces a strong restoration with an excellent marginal fit.

With a broad range of indications available, it's easy to offer Lava™ restorations.

Lava™ Precision solutions

3M ESPE believes there is more to a partnership than just selling equipment. It is about consistency, security and support.

Lava™ Milling

Consistency:

  • 3M has 100+ years manufacturing excellence
  • Dentists ask for the Lava™ Brand by name
  • Precision CAD/CAM system

3M

Security:

  • In 2006, 3M spent $1.5 billion in research and development, creating practical and ingenious solutions to help our customers succeed
  • 3M ESPE has a history of innovative products that are rigorously tested before being introduced to the market
  • Strong commitment to digital dentistry by the purchase of Brontes Technologies

3M ESPE support

Support:

  • 3M ESPE help grow your business with technical service and educational resources
  • 3M ESPE helps grow your business with business planning, marketing and sales support
  • 3M ESPE has a nationwide sales force of 24 calling on dentists and labs daily

3M ESPE™ Lava Crowns and Bridges

As beautiful as nature itself

  • Made from a ceramic material similar to the natural ceramic of your teeth (zirconia)
  • The zirconia has such a natural appearance that it can barely be distinguished from natural teeth
  • The inner layers are coloured to match the individual colour of your teeth then finished to completely match neighbouring teeth

A Lava bridge in position in the mouth

This results in the colour and translucency of your teeth being imitated to the very core

  • Unlike conventional crowns and bridges with metal-based cores, Lava restorations contain absolutely no metal so you will see no dark lines where your tooth meets your gum

The difference between a metal crown and a Lava crown when a light shines through

Biocompatible and extremely durable

  • Lava restorations are made from natural raw materials and contains nothing that is likely to cause a reaction in your mouth
  • Lava restorations can be used for teeth both at the front and at the back of the mouth
  • Lava restorations can withstand high levels of stress exerted when you chew or bite
  • We are so confident, we guarantee Lava restorations for 5 years


Red and swollen gums can be caused by allergies to metal in crowns


Pink healthy gums after Lava crowns have been fitted

Case study by Dr Sanjay Sethi of Square Mile Dental Centre, London

Natural temperature sensitivity

  • You can eat and drink hot or cold food experiencing no pain or discomfort
  • Unlike metal-based crowns or bridges, the ceramic used in Lava crowns and bridges is so similar to natural teeth that your crown or bridge will react the same way as natural teeth

How will I benefit from a Lava restoration?

  • Using methods of modern medicine available, your dentist can permanently improve your smile
  • Together, you can protect and maintain your dental health - for a lifetime

What happens next?

  • Your dentist will take an impression and provide a temporary tooth
  • The impression is then sent to a laboratory and a model of your teeth is made
  • This model is then scanned and through computer aided design and manufacture the base of your restoration is made
  • The base then has layers of porcelain added to make the finished product look perfectly natural
  • This is then returned to your dentist to be fitted into your mouth


To view the features of these products, move your cursor over the highlighted areas for additional information.

Handling and Prep Guide for Lava™ Restorations (PDF, 1.1MB )
Detailed instructions for dentists and labs

A Collection of Scientific Results (PDF, 1.5MB)
A collection of published research studies

Lava™ Technical Product Profile (PDF, 826KB)

Lava™ Procedure Video (WMV, 12.2MB)
View the clinical procedure

Lava™ Zirconia Scientific Facts (PDF, 1.3MB)

Lava™ Cementation on Titanium Interfaces (PDF, 201KB)