Ceramic materials have played an important role for a considerable time in dental prosthetics. However, their utilisation has experienced an extremely dynamic development in recent years. Their extremely difficult handling and shrinkage during sintering long stood in the way of processing. New, optimised ceramic materials have since overcome this problem. Zirconium oxide has managed to establish itself firmly in the meantime in dental medicine as a material for crowns and bridges. An extremely high degree of strength and bio-inertia (which is in no way inferior to gold) and a comparatively affordable price have contributed considerably to this. In addition to conventional techniques, anchoring of fixed dental replacements and tooth construction can also be realised using a dental root pin secured in the root channel.

Root pins of this nature are manufactured from different materials and, in addition to excellent biocompatibility, must exhibit good mechanical characteristics. Adaptation of rigidity to the tooth’s dentine is of decisive importance, as only then can fixed and durable anchoring be achieved. Dentine makes up a large part of the tooth and can be regenerated over a lifetime (in contrast to dental enamel). Adaptation of the characteristics of the replacement materials to the natural substance prevents rigidity deflection between the pin and dentine which can lead to loosening. This is achieved excellently with the assistance of glass fibre composite materials, as the mechanical characteristics can be accurately adjusted over a broad range.