What Luxen zirconia is
Dentalmax Co., Ltd. is based in Cheonan, South Korea, and makes the Luxen zirconia discs together with the Luxen CL coloring liquids. The disc labels state that the blanks are made from Tosoh zirconia powder, the Japanese raw material used by many zirconia brands. The current Dentalmax product catalogue (document DM-CTLE-001) groups the range into white, preshaded and multilayer discs, plus the newer 5G line for speed sintering.
These are the Luxen lines we work with:
| Line | Translucency (incisal to cervical) | Flexural strength |
|---|
| Luxen 1200+600 Multi | 49% / 44% / 42% | 700 / 800 / 1,100 MPa |
| Luxen 1100 Multi | 45% / 42% | 1,100 MPa throughout |
| Luxen 5G Smile | 47–49% | 900 MPa |
The catalogue gives each value with its spread: 700 ± 50 MPa for the incisal layer and 1,100 ± 100 MPa for the cervical layer of the 1200+600 Multi, and 1,100 ± 100 MPa throughout the 1100 Multi.
Strength and translucency layer by layer
Luxen 1200+600 Multi
Incisal700 MPa49%
Middle800 MPa44%
Cervical1,100 MPa42%
Luxen 1100 Multi
Incisal1,100 MPa45%
Cervical1,100 MPa42%
A multilayer disc changes both shade and material from the incisal edge to the cervical area. In the 1200+600 Multi, the incisal layer is the most translucent at 49% and the weakest at 700 MPa; the middle layer sits at 44% and 800 MPa; the cervical layer is the strongest at 1,100 MPa and the least translucent at 42%. When we nest a crown in the disc, the incisal third ends up in the translucent layer and the connectors and cervical area in the strong one.
The 1100 Multi works differently. Its shade still grades from incisal to cervical, but the strength stays at 1,100 MPa through the whole disc, with translucency of 45% at the incisal end and 42% at the cervical end. It gives up a little translucency at the incisal edge in exchange for full strength wherever the restoration sits in the disc.
The catalogue does not state the test method behind these values. For comparison only: the FDA 510(k) summary for Luxen (K171585) reports a three-point flexural strength of 1,038 ± 135 MPa for the 3Y-TZP Luxen Zr material and 770 ± 66 MPa for the 5Y-TZP Luxen Smile material, measured to ISO 6872. Values from different test methods should not be compared directly. For the differences between zirconia generations, see 3Y-TZP vs 5Y-PSZ zirconia.
Indications and limits
The Dentalmax instructions for use list these indications for the two Luxen materials:
- Luxen Zr (high strength): crowns, bridges of up to six units with no more than two pontics, inlays, onlays and veneers.
- Luxen Smile (high translucency): crowns, three-unit bridges, inlays, onlays and veneers.
The catalogue does not say which of the two limits applies to each Multi disc, so for any bridge we confirm the disc with you before milling. The instructions list insufficient wall thickness among the contraindications; if the scan shows too little room, our CAD team flags it at the design stage.
Sintering, shades and disc sizes
Both Multi discs share one sintering program in the catalogue: heat at 9 °C per minute to 1,000 °C, hold 10 minutes, heat at 3.5 °C per minute to 1,500 °C, hold 120 minutes, then cool at about 8 °C per minute. The 5G Smile line is made for speed sintering: about three hours in total, with a 50-minute hold at 1,550 °C. The program sets the final strength and translucency, so the standard program is not shortened for the Multi discs.
- 1200+600 Multi: the 16 VITA classical shades (as MA1 to MD4) plus bleach shades MBLW, MBL1 and MBL2.
- 1100 Multi: the 16 VITA classical shades plus BL1, BL2 and BL3.
- Disc sizes: 98 mm and 95 mm diameter, 12 to 25 mm thick.
- 5G Smile: preshaded (A1, A2, A3) and white HT versions; 98 mm or 95 mm discs, 10 to 25 mm thick.
If a shade or disc is not available for your case, we will tell you before production and agree the timing or an alternative.
Ordering Luxen restorations from Khai Nguyen
Zirconia crowns and bridges take 2–4 working days in the lab; zirconia on implants takes 3–4.5 working days depending on the number of units. Overseas cases then ship by DHL, which usually takes 2–4 days. More on timing in Vietnam dental lab turnaround time and shipping.
With the case, please state:
- The restoration type and tooth numbers.
- The Luxen disc you want (1200+600 Multi, 1100 Multi or 5G Smile), or let us choose.
- The VITA shade, the stump shade and shade photos if available.
- Your cementation protocol, so that we can set the cement space.
Restorations are covered by our general warranty (6 months to 15 years depending on the material). To compare with other zirconia, see IPS e.max ZirCAD Prime, Ceramill Zolid and DMax Natura, or browse all the zirconia blanks we work with. To discuss a case, please contact Khai Nguyen or follow our ordering process.
Technical values come from the Dentalmax product catalogue, the Luxen instructions for use and the FDA 510(k) summary K171585. 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.
