The dentist and the dental lab
Posted by Armi Cabero on Thursday, December 11, 2014
"Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder."
Over the years of my clinic practice, I have gained the skill of having an eye for detail. Most especially if I am dealing with Aesthetic restorations. I always tell myself, I can never fail the expectation of my patients in terms of shape, size and color. These three aspects are the basic foundation of creating a good restoration. That is why I constantly seek for good labs who can cater to my expectations.
Through this, I have found a new way of replicating these restoration in certain labs who offer in-house procedures where you can directly stain and recreate the shape of the crown without dismissing your patients. When your cases become difficult, you can rely on these labs in assisting you throughout the processing. To me, restoring a single unit anterior crown is more difficult than restoring multiple crowns mainly due to color matching. Taking the right color especially if the adjacent tooth has several hues / translucency can take you forever while casting several glances at your shade guide in order to perfect the color. At this point, the ceramist may have a difficult time staining the crown if the patient is not present. Pictures can be deceiving as well because of its inaccuracies. So the most recommended is by sending your ceramist to the clinic or better yet, bring your patients to the lab for color shade matching.
On several occasions, I was successful with this method because we can see results immediately thereby eliminating more patient visits and adjustments. Moreover, your ceramist will see the problem and can correct the err on the same appointment. Its really a hassle free investment that has given me peace of mind and I intend to continue this practice. Anyway, I don't like the feel of being secluded in the clinic all day so its like my day off from work when I am at the laboratory. In addition, I gain more perspective on a technician's point of view by understanding their methodologies and knowledge. These dental technicians might even give you a good advice on your next procedure. So take lots of notes when you're there.
So when it comes to prosthetics, I rely on my lab's work - through my inputs and guidance, I could say I am doing a great job. Until next time.
Over the years of my clinic practice, I have gained the skill of having an eye for detail. Most especially if I am dealing with Aesthetic restorations. I always tell myself, I can never fail the expectation of my patients in terms of shape, size and color. These three aspects are the basic foundation of creating a good restoration. That is why I constantly seek for good labs who can cater to my expectations.
Through this, I have found a new way of replicating these restoration in certain labs who offer in-house procedures where you can directly stain and recreate the shape of the crown without dismissing your patients. When your cases become difficult, you can rely on these labs in assisting you throughout the processing. To me, restoring a single unit anterior crown is more difficult than restoring multiple crowns mainly due to color matching. Taking the right color especially if the adjacent tooth has several hues / translucency can take you forever while casting several glances at your shade guide in order to perfect the color. At this point, the ceramist may have a difficult time staining the crown if the patient is not present. Pictures can be deceiving as well because of its inaccuracies. So the most recommended is by sending your ceramist to the clinic or better yet, bring your patients to the lab for color shade matching.
On several occasions, I was successful with this method because we can see results immediately thereby eliminating more patient visits and adjustments. Moreover, your ceramist will see the problem and can correct the err on the same appointment. Its really a hassle free investment that has given me peace of mind and I intend to continue this practice. Anyway, I don't like the feel of being secluded in the clinic all day so its like my day off from work when I am at the laboratory. In addition, I gain more perspective on a technician's point of view by understanding their methodologies and knowledge. These dental technicians might even give you a good advice on your next procedure. So take lots of notes when you're there.
So when it comes to prosthetics, I rely on my lab's work - through my inputs and guidance, I could say I am doing a great job. Until next time.
Dr Armi is past editor of Dental Asia magazine. After her numerous feats, she returns and handles a private practice in the country and is considered as one of the most respected dental professionals in the dental association.
Now she continues her editorial crusade as Editor in Chief of Dental News Philippines to help empower every Filipino dentist with updated knowledge and skills straight from the "libraries" of renowned authors in the world.
