PMMA discs: Mono, Multilayer or Pink – which to choose?

Short answer: PMMA Mono is an economical single-shade disc for short-term temporary crowns, bridges and try-ins; PMMA Multilayer is for temporary restorations worn longer, where natural shade-gradient esthetics matter; PMMA Pink is a gingiva-colored disc for denture bases and implant-supported frameworks. If you need higher strength for long-term work, consider the graphene-reinforced G-CAM, and for burnout patterns, Yucera WAX.

All of these discs are milled on the same CAD/CAM milling machines as zirconia, so the lab can quickly produce a temporary restoration from the same digital design that will later be used for the definitive one. This lets the patient "test-drive" the shape, occlusion and esthetics in advance and gives the dentist time to make adjustments.

Below, we explain how these discs differ, which shades and sizes they come in and how to choose the right one for a specific case.

Yucera PMMA Mono: single-shade workhorse disc

The shade is uniform throughout the entire disc thickness, so restorations can be nested freely in the disc and the milled restoration looks the same from any side. The dense, homogeneous structure without pigment clusters allows fast milling and polishing to a high gloss, while low water absorption reduces the risk of deformation.

• Indications: temporary crowns and bridges, inlays, try-in dentures, wax pattern substitutes.
• Shades: A1, A2, A3, A3.5, B1, B4, C1, C3, D2, D3 and an additional 2S.
• Sizes: Ø 95 or 98 mm; thickness 14, 16 or 20 mm (available combinations depend on the shade).

Yucera PMMA Multilayer: gradual shade transition

The multilayer disc mimics the light transmission of a natural tooth: the cervical zone is more saturated and darker, the incisal edge lighter and more translucent. The result is a more natural-looking temporary restoration without manual staining or layering.

• Indications: long-term temporary crowns and bridges, esthetic temporary restorations in the anterior region.
• Shades: A1, A2, A3, A3.5, A4, B1, C1, C3, D2, D3.
• Sizes: Ø 95 or 98 mm; thickness 14, 16, 20 or 22 mm.
• Note: position the restoration in the disc height deliberately, as this determines which part of the gradient ends up in the cervical and incisal zones.

Yucera PMMA Pink: for denture bases

The pink shade mimics the color and texture of natural gingiva, so the milled base looks esthetic even before the teeth are set. The material offers good dimensional stability and fracture resistance, and is easy to mill and polish to a smooth, hygienic surface.

• Indications: complete and partial denture bases, try-ins, long-term temporary implant-supported frameworks.
• Sizes: Ø 95 or 98 mm, thickness 14 mm.

Graphenano G-CAM: graphene-reinforced PMMA

G-CAM is manufactured by Graphenano Dental (Spain). It is a PMMA-based biopolymer reinforced with medical-grade graphene. According to the manufacturer, it is more resistant to fracture and bending, more elastic, has antibacterial properties and contains no residual monomers, and a complete denture can be produced from it in about 3 hours.

• Indications: complete removable dentures, single crowns and bridges, veneers, implant-supported frameworks, long-term temporary prostheses.
• Shades: A1, A2, A3, A3.5, B2, C2, CL2 and translucent.
• Sizes: Ø 98 mm; thickness 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 or 24 mm.

Yucera WAX: for wax-ups and burnout patterns

A millable wax disc for wax-ups and burnout patterns for casting metal frameworks. It accurately preserves fine details and margins, has low shrinkage and burns out cleanly. Melting point: 116 °C; density: 0.89–0.93 g/cm³.

• Colors: blue and white.
• Sizes: Ø 95 or 98 mm; thickness 14, 16 or 18 mm.

Comparison table

Disc	Main application	Shades	Diameter / thickness
PMMA Mono	short-term temporary crowns and bridges, try-in	10 VITA + 2S	Ø 95 / 98 mm; 14–20 mm
PMMA Multilayer	long-term esthetic temporary work	10 VITA (A1–D3, including A4)	Ø 95 / 98 mm; 14–22 mm
PMMA Pink	denture bases, implant-supported frameworks	pink (gingiva)	Ø 95 / 98 mm; 14 mm
G-CAM	dentures, crowns, bridges, long-term temporary work	A1–C2, CL2, translucent	Ø 98 mm; 14–24 mm
Yucera WAX	wax-up, burnout patterns for casting	blue, white	Ø 95 / 98 mm; 14–18 mm

For the Yucera PMMA line, the manufacturer specifies a tensile strength of about 75 MPa and a flexural strength of about 125 MPa (general data for the whole line). Exact shade, diameter and thickness combinations and prices incl. VAT are listed on the product pages.

Diameter: 95 or 98 mm?

98 mm discs are designed for open CAD/CAM systems with a standard 98 mm holder. Depending on the diameter, Yucera PMMA discs can also be used in Amann Girrbach and Zirkonzahn (M3/M5) systems. Before ordering, check your milling machine's holder format and, if in doubt, consult us.

How to choose: a practical checklist

1. How long will the restoration be in the mouth? Short term and try-in: Mono; longer wear with esthetic requirements: Multilayer or G-CAM.
2. Anterior or posterior region? For the anterior region, Multilayer for its natural shade transition; for the posterior region, Mono is often sufficient.
3. Denture base? Pink; for the teeth, Mono or Multilayer in the appropriate shade.
4. Need a casting? Mill the pattern from WAX and cast it, e.g. using MESA alloys.
5. Thickness: choose the smallest thickness that fits the restoration with connectors and a margin of safety; this saves material and milling time.
6. Shade control: check the shade against the VITA guide after polishing, under natural light.

Common mistakes

• Using a Mono disc for long-term esthetic work. A single-shade anterior restoration worn for several months often looks too uniform. Multilayer or G-CAM is a better fit for such cases.
• Random positioning in a Multilayer disc. A restoration nested too high or too low will get a different shade transition than planned.
• Wrong diameter. 95 and 98 mm discs are not interchangeable; order according to your milling machine's holder.
• Using PMMA as a permanent material. Mono and Multilayer are intended for temporary restorations; for permanent work, choose materials designed for it, e.g. zirconia.
• Unpolished surface. A rough PMMA surface accumulates plaque faster and discolors; polishing is an essential step.

Milling and finishing tips

• Use the milling machine manufacturer's PMMA or wax milling strategies and sharp burs: a dull tool heats the PMMA and degrades the surface.
• In a Multilayer disc, plan the vertical position of restorations in the CAM software before milling.
• After milling, polish PMMA restorations to a high gloss: a smooth surface accumulates less plaque and retains its shade longer.
• Keep wax patterns away from heat sources and cast them following the casting system's instructions.

All discs are available in the PMMA, G-CAM and wax disc collection, and zirconia solutions in the zirconia disc collection. Not sure which disc or thickness to choose for your milling machine? Contact IMMT and we will help you choose.