What NexxZr zirconia is
Sagemax Bioceramics, Inc. makes its NexxZr discs in the United States; the disc label reads “Made in USA”. According to the FDA 510(k) summary K130991, NexxZr is a zirconium dioxide and yttrium oxide ceramic that is pressed and partially sintered into discs, then milled by a dental laboratory on a dentist’s prescription. NexxZr T was previously sold as Sagemax Z-Blank.
Sagemax splits the range into “Mono” discs, one material and one shade throughout, and “Multi” discs, which combine two materials with a built-in shade gradient. The discs we work with, per the 2024 Sagemax portfolio overview:
| Disc | Material and translucency | Flexural strength |
|---|
| NexxZr T | 3Y-TZP, 42% | 1,270 MPa |
| NexxZr+ | 4Y-TZP, 46% | 1,000 MPa white, 880 MPa preshaded |
| NexxZr T Multi | 5Y-TZP incisal 49%, 3Y-TZP dentin 41% | 650 MPa incisal, 1,200 MPa dentin |
| NexxZr+ Multi | 5Y-TZP incisal 49%, 4Y-TZP dentin 45% | 650 MPa incisal, 850 MPa dentin |
Sagemax describes the strength figures as typical values measured to EN ISO 6872 on polished specimens, and gives translucency as (1 − contrast ratio) × 100. It also notes that preshaded discs show lower translucency than the figure in the table, which is measured on white material. Values from other makers and methods are not directly comparable. For background on the zirconia generations, see 3Y-TZP vs 5Y-PSZ zirconia.
Single-shade or multilayer: how the discs differ
NexxZr T is the strength option. At 1,270 MPa with 42% translucency and a fracture toughness above 5.0 MPa·m½, it suits full-contour crowns and bridges as well as frameworks that will be cut back and layered with porcelain.
NexxZr+ moves to a 4Y-TZP composition. It is more translucent at 46% and keeps 1,000 MPa in the white version and 880 MPa in the preshaded version, with a fracture toughness above 3.5 MPa·m½. Sagemax positions it for full-contour anterior and posterior work that needs brightness and good masking of a darker stump. White NexxZr+ is shaded with the matching NexxZr+ coloring liquids.
The two Multi discs stack two materials in one blank. Both have a 5Y-TZP incisal layer at 650 MPa and 49% translucency, then a mixed transition zone, then a stronger dentin body. In NexxZr T Multi the body is 3Y-TZP at 1,200 MPa and 41%; in NexxZr+ Multi it is 4Y-TZP at 850 MPa and 45%. When we nest a crown, its height in the disc sets how much of it falls in the incisal layer; connectors and the cervical area stay in the strong body.
In NexxZr T Multi, the incisal layer is about 3 mm and the transition zone about 4 mm, over 9, 13 or 18 mm of dentin in the 16, 20 and 25 mm discs. In the NexxZr+ Multi flyer, a 16 mm disc has 3.2 mm incisal, 3.2 mm transition and 9.6 mm dentin, and a 20 mm disc has 4.0, 4.0 and 12.0 mm. The 2024 portfolio lists the current version as NexxZr+ Multi 2.0, with the same strength and translucency figures, a 14 mm disc option and a wider shade range.
Indications and limits
The Sagemax portfolio splits the range by bridge length:
- NexxZr T and NexxZr T Multi: single-unit restorations, three-unit bridges, and multi-unit bridges with a maximum of two connected pontics.
- NexxZr+ and NexxZr+ Multi: single-unit restorations and three-unit bridges only.
The single-shade discs suit infiltration, staining, cut-back and full layering; the Multi discs are listed for infiltration, staining and cut-back only, since the shade is built in.
Under these indications, a bridge longer than three units can only be made in NexxZr T or NexxZr T Multi, not in a NexxZr+ disc, so we confirm the disc with you when the span or pontic count is close to the limit. If the scan leaves too little room for minimum wall or connector thickness, our CAD team flags it at the design stage.
Sintering, shades and disc sizes
NexxZr T and NexxZr+ share the same sintering table in their Sagemax flyers, with a final temperature of 1,530 °C. The standard program for one to five units heats at 30 °C per minute to 1,300 °C, holds 30 minutes, heats at 40 °C per minute to 1,530 °C and holds 60 minutes, for about 3.7 hours in total. Five to ten units use longer holds (about 5.2 hours). Long and overnight programs take about 10.7 to 14.3 hours.
The NexxZr+ Multi flyer gives its own program with a lower final temperature: 10 °C per minute to 900 °C with a 30-minute hold, 3.3 °C per minute to 1,500 °C with a 120-minute hold, then controlled cooling at 10 °C per minute to 900 °C and 8.3 °C per minute to 300 °C. The flyers we hold do not print a program for NexxZr T Multi; Sagemax refers to its instructions for use for the full details.
- NexxZr T: white, OM1–OM3 and the 16 VITA classical shades; discs 10 to 30 mm thick.
- NexxZr+: white plus A1, A2, A3, A3.5, B1 and B2; discs 10 to 30 mm thick.
- NexxZr T Multi: BL1–BL4 plus the 16 VITA classical shades; discs 16, 20 and 25 mm thick.
- NexxZr+ Multi: A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, C2 and D2 in the 2023 flyer; the 2024 portfolio lists BL1–BL4 plus 16 VITA shades for version 2.0.
- Disc formats: W-98 and Z-95 geometries (98.5 mm and 95 mm diameter); NexxZr+ Multi 2.0 is listed in W-98 only.
If a shade or disc is unavailable for your case, we tell you before production and agree an alternative.
Thermal expansion and veneering
A veneering porcelain must match the expansion of the zirconia. Sagemax gives a linear thermal expansion (25–500 °C) of 10.6 ± 0.5 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ for NexxZr T, 10.1 ± 0.5 for NexxZr+, 10.5 ± 0.5 for NexxZr T Multi and 10.4 ± 0.5 for NexxZr+ Multi 2.0. Under ISO 6872, NexxZr T and T Multi are Type II / Class 5, and NexxZr+ and NexxZr+ Multi Type II / Class 4, matching their bridge limits.
For the Multi discs, Sagemax gives a lower fracture toughness for the incisal layer (above 2.4 MPa·m½) than for the dentin layer (above 5.0 for T Multi, above 3.5 for NexxZr+ Multi 2.0). This is another reason to keep connectors in the dentin body.
Ordering NexxZr 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, including the number of pontics for a bridge.
- The NexxZr disc you want (T, T Multi, NexxZr+ or NexxZr+ Multi), 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, Luxen 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 Sagemax NexxZr product flyers, the Sagemax zirconia portfolio overview and the FDA 510(k) summary K130991. 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.
