Despite its popularity and widespread use, zirconia is a material that is not always fully understood by clinicians and technicians alike. The amount of misinformation related to zirconia circulating in the dental community is simply stunning and has led to improper clinical use and possible failures. Claims that zirconia “is a metal”, “cannot be bonded”, “causes wear”, “is not esthetic” are still tenaciously present in the backs of many minds. This presentation will clarify such misconceptions and provide an evidence-based update of physical, esthetic, and biologic properties of zirconia. Current protocols to master clinical applications and achieve long-term success with zirconia restorations from resin-bonded bridges to implant reconstructions will be presented along a lavishly illustrated clinical update.

Dr. Markus B. Blatz is Professor of Restorative Dentistry, Chairman of the Department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences, and Assistant Dean for Digital Innovation and Professional Development at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he also founded the Penn Dental Medicine CAD/CAM Ceramic Center. Dr. Blatz graduated from Albert-Ludwigs University in Freiburg, Germany, and was awarded additional Doctorate Degrees, a Postgraduate Certificate in Prosthodontics, and a Professorship from the same University.

Dr. Blatz is co-founder and past President of the International Academy for Adhesive Dentistry (IAAD) and a founding member of the European Academy of Digital Dentistry (EADD). He is a board-certified Diplomat in the German Society for Prosthodontics and Biomaterials (DGPro) and a member and fellow of multiple other professional organizations, including the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, the European Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, the International College of Prosthodontists, the American College of Prosthodontists (honorary member), Academy of Osseointegration, and O.K.U. Honor Dental Society.

Dr. Blatz is Editor-in-Chief of Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry, Associate Editor of the Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry and Associate Editor of Quintessence International, Section Editor of the International Journal of Prosthodontics, and serves on the editorial boards of numerous other recognized scientific dental journals. He is coauthor of the international bestseller “evolution – contemporary protocols for anterior single-tooth implants”.

Dr. Blatz is the recipient of multiple teaching and research awards and has published and lectured extensively on dental esthetics, restorative materials, and implant dentistry. He was named one of the “World’s Top 100 Doctors in Dentistry” and voted “Most Educational Instagram Account (@profmarkusblatz)” by his peers.