In an ever-growing economy, surprises come without warning. There is no telling what changes CEO’s today can face when markets crash, and with that in mind. Companies like BJM Laboratories can say that they’ve been there and done that!
In 2008, the Great Recession created a substantial rise in the demand for gold. BJM took advantage. They recognized that shifting away from gold crowns and towards zirconia can now significantly impact the apparent financial pivot in the dental industry. BJM diligently took to research and development. In 2009 BJM became one of the first companies in the world to develop a cement designed explicitly for zirconia crowns. A lot would still need to be done, but these crowns would prove to disrupt the dental industry once an aesthetic adhesive cement that is strong, easy to use, and sporting two-year shelf life is designed. Eventually BJM would evolve the dental industry for good.
Creating and Improving
Zirconia did present a more cost-effective and durable alternative to precious alloys. But, like every new technology, there were setbacks that BJM needed to address. The main problem was how to bond zirconia crowns to the teeth. Existing Adhesive Resin Cements were not designed for zirconia bonding as a result crowns were falling. Also, cements used with Zirconia did not have the stable natural tooth appearance. Discoloration over time was prevalent. The solution? Zirconite.
First introduced in 2011 at IDS (the biggest dental exhibition in the world) in Cologne, Germany. Zirconite sought to remedy the issues zirconia exhibited. BJM used a sophisticated laboratory equipment to simulate conditions of bonding zirconia crowns to the teeth using Zirconite and other adhesives. As its name suggested, Zirconite’s chemical bond to zirconia crowns with the cement self-adhering system proved essential. Moreover, BJM's Zirconite is color-stable and is not prone to discoloration that is often seen with adhesive cements currently available on the market at the time.
First to Market
Zirconite is less heat sensitive and more durable, and its adhesive ability is unmatched against market competitors. After undergoing rigorous testing, Zirconite proved to be non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, and non-allergenic. It was, therefore, quickly US FDA and European Regulatory Authorities approved, and the first of its kind.
Flexibility in the Face of Change
For clinicians not seeking to switch to Zirconite, BJM created a primer that boosts adhesion of resin materials to zirconia and ceramic crowns. “Q-Ceram” gave dentists the ability to use their preferred resin cement for cementing zirconia crowns.
A robust material that sports quality-of-life advantages, Q-Ceram is relatively odorless, with high affinity to zirconia, and is easy to use. Q-Ceram could be applied by merely air-drying the teeth, brushing the primer, and cementing the crown by any resin-based cement. It contains none of the dangerous ingredients commonly found in other available primers, such as hydrofluoric acid (which is highly corrosive), and very easily proved itself as a viable alternative.
Not Done Yet
BJM constantly strives to improve dental awareness and results for both clinicians and patients. Zirconite and Q-Ceram are just a few of the innovative and pioneering dental materials engineered by BJM's scientists and researchers. Just like in 2008, there are still many challenges to be met, and the market is moving in many directions. Impactful material is still being produced at BJM and will be rolled out with flying colors.