If you're adding a furnace to a chairside CAD/CAM system or considering an upgrade, the Dentsply Sirona CEREC SpeedFire and Ivoclar Programat CS6 are two of the most capable options available.

Both can sinter zirconia and process glass ceramics quickly enough for same-day dentistry, but they are designed around different priorities.

The CEREC SpeedFire emphasizes automation, simplicity and direct integration with the CEREC ecosystem.

The Programat CS6 emphasizes flexibility, programmability, vacuum firing and exceptionally fast processing of Ivoclar materials.

So which one should you buy?

For most practices, the answer depends on the materials you use and how closely you want your furnace integrated with CEREC.

CEREC SpeedFire vs. Programat CS6: The Short Answer

Choose the CEREC SpeedFire if you primarily use CEREC and want the simplest, most automated chairside workflow.

Choose the Programat CS6 if you primarily use Ivoclar materials or want a more versatile, programmable furnace with vacuum capability.

If you already own a functioning SpeedFire, upgrading to a CS6 purely for faster processing probably isn't necessary.

If you're purchasing a furnace for the first time, however, there are several important differences worth considering.

Why Choose the CEREC SpeedFire?

The biggest advantage of the SpeedFire isn't necessarily speed.

It's CEREC integration.

The SpeedFire was designed specifically to operate as part of the CEREC ecosystem. CEREC software can send the appropriate firing job directly to the furnace based on the restoration you've designed and manufactured.

This eliminates much of the manual programming normally associated with ceramic furnaces.

For a busy dental practice, that means a simpler workflow and fewer opportunities for operator error.

A typical workflow looks like this:

Scan → Design → Mill → SpeedFire → Seat

For practices committed to same-day CEREC dentistry, that level of integration is difficult to beat.

SpeedFire Supports a Wide Range of Materials

Another major SpeedFire advantage is its extensive library of validated chairside materials.

Depending on your CEREC software version and equipment configuration, supported materials include:

• CEREC MTL Zirconia

• CEREC Zirconia

• CEREC Tessera

• IPS e.max CAD

• IPS e.max ZirCAD Prime

• Celtra Duo

• VITA zirconia and glass ceramics

• KATANA zirconia

• 3M Chairside Zirconia

• GC Initial LiSi Block

This makes the SpeedFire particularly attractive for practices that regularly switch between zirconia, lithium disilicate and other chairside restorative materials.

SpeedFire Is an Excellent Choice for CEREC MTL Zirconia

If CEREC MTL Zirconia is an important part of your workflow, the SpeedFire becomes particularly compelling.

Dry-milled single crowns can typically be sintered in approximately 18–25 minutes, depending on the restoration.

More importantly, the process is integrated directly into the CEREC workflow.

While programmable furnaces can potentially process compatible third-party materials using manufacturer-approved parameters, that isn't the same experience as having the firing workflow built directly into CEREC.

For practices producing a significant number of CEREC MTL Zirconia restorations, we would generally favor the SpeedFire.

Why Choose the Programat CS6?

The biggest advantage of the Programat CS6 is versatility.

The CS6 isn't designed primarily as an accessory to a single CAD/CAM platform. It combines several furnace functions into one system.

The Programat CS6 can perform:

• Zirconia sintering

• Glass-ceramic crystallization

• Stain and glaze firing

• Conventional ceramic firing

• Vacuum firing

It also provides user-programmable firing programs.

For practices that use several restorative systems—or simply want more control over their furnace—the CS6 offers considerably more flexibility.

The CS6 Is Especially Good for IPS e.max CAD

If IPS e.max CAD is your primary chairside restorative material, the Programat CS6 deserves serious consideration.

Ivoclar's Superspeed program can crystallize qualifying IPS e.max CAD restorations in approximately 11 minutes.

A comparable SpeedFire crystallization cycle for a typical crown is approximately 14 minutes.

That difference may not matter much for an occasional e.max restoration.

For a practice performing several same-day e.max cases every day, however, those minutes can add up.

The CS6 also offers accelerated workflows incorporating crystallization, staining and glazing.

For an e.max-heavy practice, we would generally favor the Programat CS6.

What About Zirconia?

If you're buying primarily for zirconia, don't assume that the CS6 is dramatically faster.

With IPS e.max ZirCAD Prime, the two furnaces can be remarkably close.

For a qualifying restoration:

Programat CS6: approximately 15 minutes

CEREC SpeedFire: approximately 16 minutes

A one-minute difference shouldn't determine a several-thousand-dollar equipment purchase.

Instead, look at the zirconia materials you actually plan to use.

If you primarily use CEREC MTL Zirconia, CEREC Zirconia, KATANA, VITA or other materials with validated SpeedFire workflows, the SpeedFire's CEREC integration may be considerably more valuable than saving a minute of furnace time.

If you're primarily using IPS e.max ZirCAD Prime and want additional ceramic capabilities, the CS6 may be the better long-term investment.

Vacuum Firing Is an Important Difference

One of the biggest differences between these furnaces has nothing to do with speed.

The Programat CS6 supports vacuum firing.

The CEREC SpeedFire does not.

The CS6 uses an external vacuum pump, allowing it to perform ceramic procedures that require vacuum.

This gives the CS6 capabilities beyond basic chairside zirconia sintering and crystallization.

If you want one furnace that can support a broader range of ceramic procedures, vacuum capability is a significant advantage.

The tradeoff is that the CS6 requires an external vacuum pump, while the SpeedFire does not.

SpeedFire vs. CS6: Automation or Flexibility?

One of the easiest ways to understand the difference between these furnaces is this:

SpeedFire prioritizes automation.

Programat CS6 prioritizes flexibility.

With the SpeedFire, CEREC handles much of the process for you.

With the CS6, you have considerably more control over what the furnace can do.

Neither approach is inherently better.

The right choice depends on your practice.

Buy a CEREC SpeedFire If...

• Your practice primarily operates within the CEREC ecosystem.

• You frequently use CEREC MTL Zirconia or CEREC Tessera.

• You use several different CEREC-compatible materials.

• You want firing jobs transferred directly from CEREC.

• You value automation and simplicity.

• You don't need vacuum firing.

For a practice focused almost exclusively on same-day CEREC dentistry, the SpeedFire remains an excellent choice.

Buy a Programat CS6 If...

• IPS e.max CAD is one of your primary restorative materials.

• You frequently use IPS e.max ZirCAD Prime.

• You're heavily invested in the Ivoclar restorative ecosystem.

• You want user-programmable firing cycles.

• You use equipment or materials from multiple manufacturers.

• You need vacuum firing.

• You want one furnace capable of handling a broader range of ceramic procedures.

For practices looking beyond a strictly CEREC-centered workflow, the additional versatility of the CS6 can make it a better long-term investment.

What If You Already Own a SpeedFire?

If you already own a functioning SpeedFire, replacing it with a CS6 solely to reduce processing time probably doesn't make financial sense.

The CS6 is faster with certain materials, particularly IPS e.max CAD.

But with zirconia, the difference can be surprisingly small.

For example, qualifying IPS e.max ZirCAD Prime restorations can be processed in approximately 15 minutes in the CS6 versus 16 minutes in the SpeedFire.

The stronger reasons to move from SpeedFire to CS6 would be:

• Vacuum capability

• User programmability

• Greater flexibility outside the CEREC ecosystem

• Heavy use of IPS e.max CAD

If none of those are important to your practice, a functioning SpeedFire remains an extremely capable furnace.

What If You Own a Programat CS, CS2 or CS3?

Owners of older Programat furnaces have a different decision to make.

The CS6 combines the flexibility of the Programat platform with significantly faster chairside processing.

For practices already accustomed to an Ivoclar workflow, upgrading from a Programat CS, CS2 or CS3 to a CS6 can be a logical progression.

However, if the reason you're upgrading is specifically to introduce CEREC MTL Zirconia, CEREC Tessera or other CEREC-optimized materials, adding a SpeedFire may make more sense.

Higher-volume CAD/CAM practices may even benefit from owning both.

Which Furnace Would We Choose?

For a practice that is 100% committed to the CEREC ecosystem, we would generally choose the CEREC SpeedFire.

Its direct integration, automated workflow and broad selection of validated CEREC materials outweigh the additional flexibility of the CS6 for many users.

For a practice that uses a lot of IPS e.max CAD, works with multiple restorative systems, or wants a furnace that can perform more traditional ceramic procedures, we would generally choose the Programat CS6.

The decision ultimately comes down to one question:

Do you value CEREC integration more, or furnace flexibility?

Choose SpeedFire for integration and automation.

Choose Programat CS6 for flexibility, programmability and vacuum capability.

Both are excellent chairside furnaces. The better purchase is the one that matches the materials and workflow you actually use.