First impression

The VITA SMART.FIRE's eye-catching design includes a round chamber, which contributes to its space-saving compactness. The tablet format of the associated control element allows for simple and intuitive operation via the menu navigation. The firing programs are clearly arranged according to material and firing processes and visually detectable. A basic set of accessories is stowed in a special compartment in the base of the device. 

Design

Visually, the VITA SMART.FIRE is designed in the practical and simple color of white. Only the head of the furnace is colored magenta, with a matching VITA logo of the same color. Other designs with trendy motifs of your choice are available in the VITA SMART.FIRE Art Line model. The round chamber design is compact and harmonizes with the space. The control unit has a sturdy base with adjustable tilt and a large display. As a standalone, compact unit, the furnace is attractively designed.

Accessory compartment

Accessories consisting of a firing tray, firing tongs, a cooling table, cotton-wool firing tray and platinum pins are stowed in the integrated accessory compartment, which creates an orderly space in the treatment environment. With the integrated compartment, the instruments are always available when needed. This is particularly useful when the device is used as a mobile unit in different rooms. All that's needed is to find a separate place close to the furnace or work area for firing pastes and glazing materials. 

Mobile and flexible use

The furnace is small in size (thirteen kilograms of weight) and can be used in the treatment room and practice laboratory. Space must also be provided for the control unit. Since I operate the VITA SMART.FIRE in my practice in combination with a vacuum pump, I decided on a stationary unit. The room layout of the practice allowed us to install the furnace in a central location, which can be accessed by multiple treatment units.

Operation

Once you get a brief overview of the functions of the intuitive menu navigation, independent and safe operation is possible. The icon for heating the firing chamber to standby temperature is usually selected first in the menu selection. The representation of the temperature profile in the combustion chamber gives an overview of the progress. The standby temperature can be reached quickly and can be determined individually in the settings. This should be maintained for twenty minutes before the firing. For an even faster CAD/CAM workflow, it might be useful to establish an icon for preheating as the first step in the firing program. In the context of chairside treatment, the furnace could even be preheated during the grinding time, since at this point, the CAD/CAM ceramic has already been selected. While the restoration is being ground and fitted, the furnace could be preheated to the standby temperature that is especially suited to the firing program. The next software update 180322 will make this possible with two new auto-standby functions.

For intuitive operation, the individual firing programs can be selected directly via icons. Which firing programs are displayed and how they are arranged on different desktops can be organized individually, according to the desires of the operator by dragging and dropping. A tailored desktop with the prioritized materials and firing processes allows for rapid, sorted access. At the same time, a useful overview is maintained by removing from view, those materials and firing processes that are not being used. The colors of the icons and desktop, as well as labels can also be individually adjusted. After selecting a firing program, the precise parameters of the firing can be displayed or the firing started immediately. Once the firing chamber has reached the correct temperature, the program starts and the status display shows a backwards countdown until the firing program is completed. After the end of the firing, an acoustic notification sounds so that you are informed immediately about the completion and no time is lost. With the VITA SMART.FIRE, the restoration always remains stationary and cannot slip or tilt, since the firing chamber is lowered down over the restoration. The compact design and good insulation of the firing chamber enable a very fast firing (heating rate), which greatly improves chairside application. Updates or new firing programs are simple to transfer using a USB. To shut down, the main switch must be operated. Before this, make sure to close the firing chamber. Otherwise, the device must be restarted in order to close it so that moisture can be kept out of the firing chamber. It should not go unmentioned that, when operating the tablet, several attempts are often necessary to activate the "Home" user interface. The manufacturer has already responded and will be adjusting the touchpad to make it more responsive with the next update.

Digital assistance function

After selecting a firing program, there is the option of activating a digital assistance function for some materials and types of firing. If this is active, the user is instructed, step by step, in how to prepare the restoration and how stains and glazing materials are to be applied. These instructions are partially provided with images or video tutorials and offer users with less experience good support. It would be very helpful, however, if these instructions were also available for the products of other material manufacturers. The operating instructions and the instructions for use of all VITA materials are stored in the tablet. Some of them cover fifty pages and can be scrolled.

Firing results

The results of the firings conducted in our practice met the requirements and were very satisfactory. The speed program for e.max CAD in particular offers a clear time advantage, compared to other dental furnaces. With its ease of use and compact, simple design, the VITA SMART.FIRE has quickly become a fixture in our digital workflow and offices. A small furnace with a big effect on CAD/CAM-supported restorations.