K143071 · Doceram Medical Ceramics GmbH · EIH · Jun 26, 2015 · Dental
Device Facts
Record ID
K143071
Device Name
Nacera Pearl
Applicant
Doceram Medical Ceramics GmbH
Product Code
EIH · Dental
Decision Date
Jun 26, 2015
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 872.6660
Device Class
Class 2
Indications for Use
Nacera Pearl blanks are indicated for the fabrication of single crowns and bridgework: - > fully anatomical single crowns and bridgework (FCZ) - > Partially veneered or fully veneered crowns and bridges - > Inlays, onlays, and Maryland bridges - > Primary telescopic crowns for anterior and posterior applications
Device Story
Nacera Pearl consists of pre-sintered yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (Y-TZP) milling blanks; used by dental technicians to fabricate custom all-ceramic restorations. Process: technician performs intraoral or impression/model scan; designs restoration via CAD software; CAM milling center machines blank to desired geometry; final sintering to full density. Finished restorations used as full-contour prostheses or veneered with dental porcelain. Device enables patient-specific dental reconstruction; improves aesthetic and functional outcomes for anterior/posterior tooth replacement.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Testing included density, microstructure, flexural strength, radioactivity, thermal expansion, chemical solubility, open porosity, tensile strength, elastic limit, and Young's modulus per ISO 13356 and ISO 6872 standards. Results demonstrate performance comparable to predicate devices.
Technological Characteristics
Material: Yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (Y-TZP) complying with ISO 6872 and ISO 13356. Form factor: Pre-sintered milling blanks (discs, cylinders, bars, cubes). Processing: CAD/CAM milling followed by final sintering. Connectivity: None (material component).
Indications for Use
Indicated for fabrication of custom-made all-ceramic dental restorations, including single crowns, bridgework, inlays, onlays, and primary telescopic crowns for anterior and posterior applications in patients requiring dental prosthetics.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
Porcelain powder for clinical use is a device consisting of a mixture of kaolin, felspar, quartz, or other substances intended for use in the production of artificial teeth in fixed or removable dentures, of jacket crowns, facings, and veneers. The device is used in prosthetic dentistry by heating the powder mixture to a high temperature in an oven to produce a hard prosthesis with a glass-like finish.
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Image /page/0/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo consists of a circular seal with the words "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" arranged around the perimeter. Inside the circle is a stylized image of a human figure, represented by three overlapping profiles, suggesting a sense of community and care. The logo is presented in black and white.
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Center - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
June 26, 2015
Doceram Medical Ceramics GmbH Mr. Stefan Drude Head of Regulatory Affairs Hesslingsweg 65-67. Dortmund 44309 GERMANY
Re: K143071
Trade/Device Name: Nacera Pearl Regulation Number: 21 CFR 872.6660 Regulation Name: Porcelain Powder for Clinical Use Regulatory Class: II Product Code: EIH Dated: May 7, 2015 Received: May 11, 2015
Dear Mr. Drude:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) premarket notification of intent to market the device referenced above and have determined the device is substantially equivalent (for the indications for use stated in the enclosure) to legally marketed predicate devices marketed in interstate commerce prior to May 28, 1976, the enactment date of the Medical Device Amendments, or to devices that have been reclassified in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Act) that do not require approval of a premarket approval application (PMA). You may, therefore, market the device, subject to the general controls provisions of the Act. The general controls provisions of the Act include requirements for annual registration, listing of devices, good manufacturing practice, labeling, and prohibitions against misbranding and adulteration. Please note: CDRH does not evaluate information related to contract liability warranties. We remind you, however, that device labeling must be truthful and not misleading.
If your device is classified (see above) into either class II (Special Controls) or class III (PMA), it may be subject to additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your device can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 898. In addition, FDA may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register.
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Please be advised that FDA's issuance of a substantial equivalence determination does not mean that FDA has made a determination that your device complies with other requirements of the Act or any Federal statutes and regulations administered by other Federal agencies. You must comply with all the Act's requirements, including, but not limited to: registration and listing (21 CFR Part 807); labeling (21 CFR Part 801); medical device reporting (reporting of medical device-related adverse events) (21 CFR 803); good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the quality systems (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820); and if applicable, the electronic product radiation control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1050.
If you desire specific advice for your device on our labeling regulation (21 CFR Part 801), please contact the Division of Industry and Consumer Education at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 796-7100 or at its Internet address
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Resourcesfor You/Industry/default.htm. Also, please note the regulation entitled. "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21CFR Part 807.97). For questions regarding the reporting of adverse events under the MDR regulation (21 CFR Part 803), please go to
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/ReportaProblem/default.htm for the CDRH's Office of Surveillance and Biometrics/Division of Postmarket Surveillance.
You may obtain other general information on your responsibilities under the Act from the Division of Industry and Consumer Education at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 796-7100 or at its Internet address
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ResourcesforYou/Industry/default.htm.
Sincerely vours.
Tina
Kiang -S
for Erin I. Keith, M.S. Director Division of Anesthesiology, General Hospital, Respiratory, Infection Control and Dental Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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Image /page/2/Picture/0 description: The image shows the logo for DOCERAM Medical Ceramics. The logo is in a rectangular box with the word "DOCERAM" in bold, sans-serif font. There is a yellow triangle above the "O" in DOCERAM and a yellow line below the word. Below the box, the words "MEDICAL CERAMICS" are written in a smaller, sans-serif font.
## Indications for Use
K143071 510(k) Number (if known):
Device Name: Nacera Pearl
Indications For Use:
Nacera Pearl blanks are indicated for the fabrication of single crowns and bridgework:
- > fully anatomical single crowns and bridgework (FCZ)
- > Partially veneered or fully veneered crowns and bridges
- > Inlays, onlays, and Maryland bridges
- > Primary telescopic crowns
for anterior and posterior applications
Prescription Use X (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
AND/OR
Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
# Andrew I. Steen -S 2015.06.25 12:39:57 -04'00'
#### DOCERAM Medical Ceramics GmbH
Fax:
Phone: +49 (0) 231 / 92 56 68 - 0 +49 (0) 231 / 92 56 68 - 60 info@doceram-medical.com www.doceram-medical.com
Hesslingsweg 65 - 67 D - 44309 Dortmund Germany
Commerzbank Dortmund BLZ 440 400 37 · KTO 28 27 020 BIC Code: COBADEFF440 IBAN: DE92440400370282702000
Qualitätsmanagementsystem Certified Company DIN EN ISO 13485 für Medizinprodukte
DCM.BP.02/2012 DMc
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## 510[k] Summary
This 510(k) Summary is being submitted in accordance with the requirements of 21 CFR 807.92
| Submitter Name | DOCERAM Medical Ceramics GmbH | | |
|---------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------|--|
| Submitter Address | Hesslingsweg.65-67, D - 44309 Dortmund | | |
| Phone Number | +49-231-925025952 | | |
| Fax Number | +49-231-92566870 | | |
| Contact Person | Stefan Drude | | |
| Date summary was prepared | July 10, 2014 | | |
| Device Trade Name(s) | Nacera Pearl | | |
| Classification Name | Porcelain Powder for Clinical Use | | |
| C.D.R. section number | 872.6660 | | |
| Product Code | EIH | | |
| Regulatory Class | class II | | |
| Predicate Devices | K080195 | Nacera Z, Nacera Z Medium | |
| | K132102 | BeCe CAD Zirkon HT+ | |
| | K133213 | StarCeram Z-Med | |
| | K117210 | ZENO Zr Disc | |
| Device Description | The devices covered by this submission are milling blanks for<br>the fabrication of custom-made all-ceramic dental restoration | | |
| | The devices are manufactured from yttria-stabilized tetragonal<br>zirconia (Y-TZP) complying with all applicable requirements of<br>ISO 6872 (dental ceramics) and all requirements of ISO 13356<br>(ceramic materials for implants for surgery). | | |
| | They are provided in a partially sintered (pre-sintered) state | | |
| | They are intended to be used by dental professionals e.g. den-<br>tal technicians, for the fabrication of custom-made restorations<br>for the sole use of a particular patient. | | |
| | These restorations are designed virtually by dental technicians<br>using the CAD technology on the basis of intraoral scans or<br>scans from impressions and/or models. | | |
| | The designed restorations are to be machined in all appropriate<br>CAM Milling Centers out of Nacera Pearl blanks and finally sin-<br>tered to full density. | | |
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| On basis of the available shades the finished restorations, sin-<br>tered to full density, may be used as full-contour, all-ceramic<br>prosthesis or may be veneered with suitable dental porcelains<br>using the layering technique. Telescopic primary crowns will not<br>be veneered. |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Nacera Pearl blanks are available in various shapes and di-<br>mensions such as discs, cylinders, bars, cubes, or other re-<br>quired forms, in order to meet the specifications of the different<br>CAD/CAM milling machines used to generate the desired dental<br>restorations,. |
| Nacera Pearl blanks are available in various shades in order to<br>correspond to the different natural teeth colors and have a clos-<br>er appearance to a natural tooth |
| Indications for Use |
| Nacera Pearl blanks are indicated for the fabrication of single<br>crowns and bridgework: |
| ➤ fully anatomical single crowns and bridgework (FCZ) |
| ➤ Partially veneered or fully veneered crowns and bridges |
| ➤ Inlays, onlays, and Maryland bridges |
| ➤ Primary telescopic crowns |
| for anterior and posterior applications |
### Comparison of Indications for Use
| Device name | Intended Use |
|------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Doceram Medical<br>Ceramics<br>Nacera Pearl | Fabrication of all-ceramics custom-made restorations for the sole use of particular pa-<br>tients. It is recommended for:<br>➤ fully anatomical single crowns and bridgework (FCZ)<br>➤ Partially veneered or fully veneered crowns and bridges<br>➤ Inlay, onlays, and Maryland bridges<br>➤ Primary telescopic crowns<br>➤ for anterior and posterior segment restorations |
| Doceram Medical Ce-<br>ramics<br>Nacera Z / Z Medium | Nacera Z and Nacera Z Medium is specially designed for use as framework<br>(substructure) for dental restorations, single tooth or bridge type application<br>at anterior and posterior locations.<br>It is prepared for machining by use of CAM-techniques. |
| H.C. Starck<br>StarCeram ® Z-Med | Fabrication of<br>➤ crowns,<br>➤ multi-unit bridges,<br>➤ inlay bridges<br>➤ all- ceramic restorations.<br>applications include both anterior and posterior bridges |
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| BEGO<br>BeCe CAD Zirkon HT+ | Fabrication of all-ceramics custom-made restorations for the sole use of particular pa-<br>tients. It is recommended for:<br>> fully anatomical single crowns and bridgework (FCZ)<br>> Partially veneered or fully veneered crowns and bridges<br>> Dentin core crowns and bridges | | |
|-----------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--|--|
| | > Maryland bridges | | |
| | > Telescopic crowns (primary part) | | |
| Wieland | Fabrication of all-ceramics restorations for the sole use of particular pa- | | |
| ZENO Zr | tients. It is recommended for: | | |
| | single-tooth and bridgework restorations like crowns and bridges with one or two pon-<br>tics, which can be used in the anterior as well as in the posterior tooth region. | | |
#### Comparison of Technological Characteristics
| Device name | Material Composition | Further Processing | Types | Physical Properties |
|----------------------------------|----------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------|---------------------------|
| DMC<br>Nacera Pearl | Porcelain powder Y-<br>TZP | Milling in CAM milling<br>centers using<br>CAD/CAM technique | pre-sintered blanks | ISO 13356 and ISO<br>6872 |
| DMC<br>Nacera Z / Z Medium | Porcelain powder Y-<br>TZP | Milling in CAM milling<br>centers using<br>CAD/CAM technique | pre-sintered milling<br>blank | ISO 13356 and ISO<br>6872 |
| H.C. Starck<br>StarCeram ® Z-Med | Porcelain powder | Milling in CAM milling<br>centers using<br>CAD/CAM technique | pre-sintered milling<br>blank | ISO 13356 and ISO<br>6872 |
| BEGO<br>BeCe CAD Zirkon HT+ | Porcelain powder | Milling in CAM milling<br>centers using<br>CAD/CAM technique | pre-sintered milling<br>blank | ISO 13356 and ISO<br>6872 |
| Wieland<br>ZENO Zr | Porcelain powder | Milling in CAM milling<br>centers using<br>CAD/CAM technique | partially (pre-)<br>sintered blank | ISO 13356 and<br>ISO 6872 |
The main differences between the subject device and the noted predicates are based on slight variations in shade (the end sintered dental restorations shade differences are caused by the chemical composition differing mass fractions of the ,oxide' components) as well as physical properties such as density and flexural strength.
Performance Testing In order to demonstrate comparability of Nacera Pearl dental materials to the predicate devices a series of testing was performed according to ISO 13365 - in particular density, microstructure, flexural strength, and radio activity. Thermal expansion and chemical solubility was also performed according to ISO 13356. Open porosity, tensile strength, elastic limit, bending strength, Young's modulus comparative testing was also performed.
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Submitter: Doceram Medical Ceramics GmbH
The results of this testing showed that the physical properties and performance of the subject device are comparable to the identified predicates.
SE Conclusion: In conclusion, it has been shown that all devices are dental materials manufactured from the same porcelain powder Y-TZP, have comparable indications for use, technical, physical, chemical, and biological properties and characteristics, and have the same aesthetic and diagnostic function. Therefore, it can be demonstrated that Nacera Pearl dental materials are substantially equivalent to the predicate dental devices, Nacera Z, Nacera Z Medium, BeCe CAD Zirkon HT+, StarCeram Z-Med, and ZENO Zr.
Two short videos show you everything — or skip straight to the written tutorial if you'd rather read. You can reopen this any time from the Tutorial button in the top bar.
Part 1 — Search, results, and everyday workflows 16 min
Part 2 — Embeddings: the galaxy map 3 min
1. Search: exact and fuzzy
Type a phrase like "coronary artery calcification" into the search box. You get two kinds of results. Exact results match the literal phrase — prefix searches work ("coronary artery calcificati") but suffix searches do not. Fuzzy results match on the meaning and intent of your phrase rather than the exact words, and are sorted by relevance score. Hover over the Exact or Fuzzy badge on any row to see exactly why it matched.
Use the checkboxes above the results to narrow: SaMD keeps only software-only devices, AI / ML keeps only devices with AI.
Exact vs. fuzzy search: what's the difference?
Exact matches on the literal phrase (prefix search works, suffix does not). Fuzzy matches on the meaning and intent of the phrase rather than the exact words. Hover over the badge on any row to see why it matched.
You search "coronary artery calcification" and want only software devices with AI. What two filters do you apply?
Narrow by SaMD (software-only devices), then narrow by AI/ML (devices with AI).
2. The results table
Scroll right in the results table. The intended use is extracted for you — no need to open the PDF. The device story gives a high-level snapshot of what the device does and how it's used. The AI Performance sub-table shows each output name, acceptance criteria, observed values, and development/test dataset descriptions — the same format Innolitics uses for regulatory strategy outputs, and the fastest high-level fingerprint of an AI device. It is AI-generated but has been very reliable in practice.
Where do you find a device's intended use without opening the PDF?
Scroll right in the search results table. The intended use column is extracted for you; no need to dig into the 510(k) summary PDF.
What does the AI Performance sub-table show, and why is it useful?
Output name, acceptance criteria, observed values, development dataset description, and test dataset description. It's the same format we use for regulatory strategy output and Fast 510(k) input, and the fastest high-level fingerprint of an AI device. AI-generated but reliable in practice.
3. Judging fuzzy relevance
Fuzzy results trail off in relevance as you scroll. Use three signals to decide how far down to go: the fuzzy badge explanations, the intended use column, and whether your target output (e.g., Cobb angle) still appears in the AI Performance sub-table. Once it stops appearing, you're past the relevant zone. A top hit with a low score (~0.4) and a stretched explanation is a hint the closest predicates are far away — the project may be headed for De Novo. Note the fuzzy search is a pattern match: it doesn't handle negation ("not") well, and hardware devices can appear — filter by SaMD/AI ML to cut them.
How do you judge how far down fuzzy search results to go?
Use the relevancy signals: the fuzzy badge explanations, the intended use column, and whether the target output (e.g., Cobb angle) still appears in the AI Performance sub-table. Once it stops appearing, results are trailing off in relevancy.
4. Device detail page: chat and citations
Click a device name to open its detail page: device facts on the left, a chat window on the right. Ask something like "Describe the training data". The answer carries little citation bubbles — click one to jump to the highlighted passage in the source PDF, so you can verify every AI answer against the document. There's also a Download PDF button for sharing.
How do you verify an AI chat answer on the device detail page?
Click the citation bubbles to jump to the relevant highlight in the source document.
Reading rule for every project: how many summaries do you read in full?
At least the three most relevant 510(k) or De Novo summaries, in full. After that, use targeted chat questions to confirm your memory quickly. The tool supports this professional habit — it doesn't replace it.
5. Side-by-side comparison
Select multiple rows in the results table (aim for under ~10), then open the PDF Viewer tab. Ask one question — it goes to all selected devices in parallel, each with citations. This is the fastest way to compare and contrast devices: training data, PCCP scope, how they handled adding new scanners, and so on.
What does the side-by-side PDF viewer mode do?
Select multiple devices, open the PDF viewer tab, and ask one question (e.g., "Describe the training data"). It queries all selected devices simultaneously with citations, so you can compare and contrast quickly.
6. Collections
With rows selected, go to the Collections tab and create a labeled collection (e.g., "Cobb Angle Project"). Reload that selection any time — before a client call, pull up the collection and ask questions across all of its devices at once.
How do you save a set of selected devices for later use?
Select the rows, go to the Collections tab, and create a labeled collection (e.g., "Cobb Angle Project"). You can reload the selection anytime and carry it into the PDF viewer and other tabs that support selections.
7. Product codes and the regulations tree
Click a product code in the results to jump to it in the regulations tree — identification text, sibling product codes, and devices you can open in a PDF viewer on the right. Click a regulation number to see its identification, special controls, and related product codes. You can also search by product code or regulation number at the top of the tree. Always read the special controls if any exist for your device — it broadens your search and sharpens pre-kickoff research.
What can you do from the regulations tree view?
Browse product codes and regulation numbers, read the identification text and special controls, browse sibling product codes, open device PDFs on the right, and search by product code or regulation number at the top of the tree.
8. Chart view
Click Show Chart and segment by regulation number (or product code) to see which regulations dominate your result set. Clicking a regulation takes you into the regulations tree. Great for spotting that most matches are, say, hardware laparoscopic devices — a cue to go back and filter.
How do you see which regulations dominate a search result set?
Click "Show Chart" and segment by Regulation Number. Clicking a regulation takes you to the regulations tree.
9. The predicate graph
Open the Predicates tab for a family-tree view of predicate relationships. Click a node to trace its parents and children; selections from search carry over pre-selected. Commonly predicated devices are worth reading — a lot of people predicated them for a reason. The visual lineage is also handy on client calls, e.g. to show how a predicate family evolved and justify why your predicate still holds.
In the predicate graph, why are commonly predicated devices worth reading?
A lot of people predicated them for a reason. Clicking a node traces parents and children, and selections from search carry over pre-selected.
10. Embeddings: the galaxy map
The Embeddings tab plots every matching document in a 2-D "galaxy map" where semantically similar devices cluster together. Hover or click clusters to explore, and let AI label the clusters for you. Embeddings beat product codes for grouping: two devices can carry different product codes (LLZ vs. QIH) yet do the same thing — the embedding captures the meaning of the intended use and device story. This is also exactly how retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) works under the hood, and it makes a great visual on client calls.
Try it yourself
Head to the search page and work through a few of these AI/ML fuzzy searches to build intuition: perivascular fat on CT · aortic valve calcification opportunistic screening on noncontrast CT · breast cancer prediction on digital pathology slides · autism detection · gestational age prediction · a hearing aid that can also detect a pulse · foundation model based analysis of ECG · large language models · penetration test. Watch how the relevance scores, intended use, and AI Performance tables tell you when results stop being meaningful.