What DD Bio zirconia is
DD Bio (often written DDBio) is the CAD/CAM zirconia family made by Dental Direkt GmbH in Spenge, Germany. All four blanks on this page are yttria-stabilised zirconia (Y-TZP), but they sit at different points on the strength-versus-translucency scale:
- DD Bio Z (3Y-TZP-A): the classic high-strength, opaque zirconia for layered frameworks and for masking discoloured preparations.
- DD Bio ZX² (3Y-TZP-LA): more translucent than DD Bio Z, for full-contour bridges and layered frameworks.
- DD cube ONE (4Y-TZP): High Translucent Plus, balancing strength and esthetics for anterior and posterior work.
- DD cubeX² (5Y-TZP): super high translucent zirconia for the anterior region, limited to 3-unit bridges.
We mill white (BL) blanks and monochrome pre-shaded blanks; we do not use the multilayer (ML) versions. White blanks are shaded with colouring liquids before sintering, as the manufacturer describes.
Indications and limits per blank
From Dental Direkt’s instructions for use:
- DD Bio Z: anatomically reduced crowns and bridges for porcelain layering, hybrid abutments and cantilever bridges. It is opaque and not indicated for veneers.
- DD Bio ZX²: full-contour posterior crowns and bridges, layered frameworks, hybrid abutments, hybrid abutment crowns and cantilever bridges.
- DD cube ONE: veneers, inlays, onlays, full-contour or layered crowns and bridges, hybrid abutment crowns and cantilever bridges.
- DD cubeX²: veneers, inlays, onlays, full-contour or layered crowns, hybrid abutment crowns and bridges of up to 3 units.
Bridges in DD Bio Z, ZX² and cube ONE may have no more than two adjacent pontics, and a cantilever pontic must not exceed 2/3 of the mesio-distal width of the abutment crown. Contraindications include parafunction, insufficient space, unsuitable preparation and poor oral hygiene. For a heavily discoloured stump with little reduction, the catalogue points to the more opaque DD Bio ZX² or DD Bio Z.
Key properties
| Blank | Translucency | Flexural strength; KIC |
| DD Bio Z (3Y-TZP-A) | Opaque | 1,150 ± 200 MPa; > 9.5 MPa√m |
| DD Bio ZX² (3Y-TZP-LA) | High Translucent | 1,150 ± 150 MPa; > 8 MPa√m |
| DD cube ONE (4Y-TZP) | High Translucent Plus | 1,200 ± 150 MPa; > 10 MPa√m |
| DD cubeX² (5Y-TZP) | Super High Translucent | 700 ± 100 MPa; 4.0 MPa√m |
Values are the manufacturer’s, measured to DIN EN ISO 6872. DD Bio Z, ZX² and cube ONE are Type II, Class 5 (bridges of 4 units or more); DD cubeX² is Class 4 (up to 3 units). For background on the 3Y and 5Y groups, see 3Y-TZP vs 5Y-PSZ zirconia.
Wall thickness and connector sizes
Our CAD designs follow the minimums in the manufacturer’s instructions, so please prepare enough space for them:
- Single crowns: 0.5 mm minimum wall, all four blanks.
- 3-unit bridges: 0.5 mm walls; connectors above 7 mm² anterior and 9 mm² posterior, or above 10 mm² and 12 mm² for DD cubeX².
- Bridges of 4+ units: anterior 0.5 mm and connectors above 10 mm²; posterior 0.7 mm and above 17 mm², raised to at least 20 mm² between two pontics where space allows.
- Cantilever bridges: 1.0 mm walls, connectors above 12 mm².
A chamfer or shoulder preparation is recommended. Connector height matters most for stability, and connectors must not be ground after sintering.
Cementation
Dental Direkt recommends conventional cementation with zinc phosphate or glass ionomer cement; resin luting cements can also be used. Ensure adequate retention and a stump height of at least 3 mm, and do not cement provisionally. Veneers, inlays, onlays and non-retentive preparations should be bonded adhesively. Before cementing, lightly blast the intaglio with 50 µm alumina at 1–2 bar. With DD cube ONE and cubeX², opaque or tinted cements can change the final shade.
Ordering DD Bio restorations from Vietnam
We accept intraoral scans or impressions, design in CAD, mill, sinter and finish or layer each case in our ISO 13485-certified lab in Ho Chi Minh City. Zirconia crowns and bridges take 2–4 working days in the lab, and zirconia on implants 3–4.5 working days (see implant bridges and crowns); DHL Express delivery abroad adds 2–4 days. With each case, please state the blank or the clinical indication, the number of bridge units, the VITA shade, the stump shade and shade photos if available.
For reinforced long spans, see an I-bar under zirconia. Compare materials in our dental ceramic materials comparison, read the outsourcing FAQ and our warranty policy, then contact us or follow the ordering process.
Technical values come from the Dental Direkt product catalogue (Rev. 17_2023/03), the DD medical zirconia instructions for use (eIFU Rev.03_20241030) and the Dental Direkt Cementation Guide (Rev.03_20220714). This page is written for dentists and dental technicians. Khai Nguyen Dental Lab fabricates restorations only on professional prescription and does not sell directly to patients.