Case involving CAD/CAM-generated, screw-retained bridge demonstrates dentistry's scientific progression

The patient in the case presented had successfully used a maxillary overdenture for more than three decades. However, the time had come for the prosthetic appliance to be replaced. This case, which involved the use of a titanium understructure that was designed and fabricated using CAD/CAM technology, illustrates how far dentistry has come since the patient first presented to the clinician some 35 years ago when dental science had not yet included such innovations as bone grafting and CT scans.

Custom shade matching: fine-tuning and patient communication lead to success

Shade matching is a sometimes difficult process that involves a variety of colors and characteristics. Couple this with a patient base that often encompasses a wide range of ages, and final restorations can frequently require adjustment or repair because they have failed to match the patient's natural teeth. In this article the author relates many of his own custom shade-taking experiences in an effort to help dental technicians improve their color-matching strategies and avoid costly mistakes.