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Reproducing Nature Part 3: Tooth Replacement with Root and Colour Matching Using Digital Photos

eLABORATE Magazine featured Yugo’s article titled ‘Reproducing Nature Part 3: Tooth replacement with root and colour matching using digital photos in 2006 (published language: English).   Introduction:   The technology available in dentistry in 2006 has improved significantly since I became a dental technician even though it’s been only eight years. Patients’ dental IQ and desires for beauty have also increased through exposure in the media.   Thanks to the advancement of software such as Adobe Photoshop, we can now give patients a new smile digitally/virtually before the commencement of work to provide them with a great idea of the final result with the projected outcome.   Material-wise, the trend has moved to metal-free restorations over traditional PFMs – higher aesthetics with less effort to achieve life-like restorations....

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Before and After 2010: Treatment of Cleft Lip and Palate – a “Pro-bono” Smile Makeover

A female patient in her early 20s presented with congenitally missing upper lateral incisors, and one canine, a total of 3 teeth seeking a fixed replacement. The patient has a cleft lip and palate bilaterally, which has been treated several times over the years with surgery to repair it. Implants are not possible as there is no bone in the surgical repair sites, and in fact, she still has an oro-nasal communication.   The patient had limited resources to pay for treatment and hoped that the federal Cleft Lip and Palate Scheme would cover the costs, which turned out that only extractions and dentures are eligible for the claim. Thus, the treating clinician – Dr Michael Mandikos and I had decided to treat...

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Behind My Student Masterpiece at Osaka University Dental Hospital

I am privileged to be able to make a living by helping people to love their smiles. I do this by providing prosthetic teeth for cosmetic purposes, including crowns, bridges and veneers, as well as implant-supported restorations. I am a dental technician and my job title is ‘master ceramist’, a term used for artists specialised in crowns and bridges who reproduce natural aesthetics by mimicking nature with unmatched skills and knowledge. I am often asked why I’ve chosen this career path, and I always state, ‘ I wanted to become a doctor and an artist at the same time since I was a kid, and being what I am now is a fusion of the two with harmony’.   My educational journey...

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Before and After 2009: Soft-Tissue Management at the Socket on Pontic Sites

A Caucasian male in his 70s had presented with failed roots on the lateral incisors (12 & 22). The patient was also concerned about the aesthetics of the overall smile, wanting to have a youthful look. We commenced the case with 2 x Zirconia bridges 13-11 & 21-23.   Fig 1 shows the pre-op condition. 12 and 22 were extracted, and the soft tissue was managed during the temporary stage by the treating prosthodontist. Fig 2 shows the remarkable state of the soft tissue recovery.   Communication in the shade taking is essential between the clinician and ceramist. The shade tab should be placed edge to edge position, as shown in Fig 3. Fig 4 shows the completed Lava zirconia bridges (13-11 & 21-23). Note...

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Yugo – the man behind Smile Virtuoso: Past – Present – Future

It’s been a while since I disappeared from the forefront of dental education. For the past decade, having a presence in social media has become the norm regardless of who you are. If you are not actively promoting yourself online, then apparently you don’t exist. I’m not on anything –Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or TikTok – except LinkedIn. I’m not a follower, and I only act according to my beliefs.   The saying ‘work until you no longer have to introduce yourself’ is something I’ve believed in and kept in mind since the start of my career. The hours I have spent at work as a dental technician/ceramist would easily exceed Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000-hour rule (i.e., the time required to be decent at...

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Reproducing Nature Part 2: Blending into Natural Dentition

eLABORATE Magazine featured Yugo’s article titled ‘Reproducing Nature Part 2: Blending into natural dentition’ in May/June 2006 (published language: English).     Introduction:   Isn’t colour matching a restoration to nature one of the hardest things for all of us to achieve? To be able to reproduce the colour, there are so many factors we have to consider and get right. The value, chroma, hue, translucency, characterisation and even the surface anatomy and shine control of the tooth are all essential considerations.   However, from my perspective as a ceramist, we have to consider another crucial aspect – the background. The teeth in the mouth are always under the influence of the colour from the gum, and it is very easy for human eyes to make misjudgements...

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CORRECTION OF MIDLINE CANT WITH A SINGLE CENTRAL INCISOR

The primary objective of treating a single central incisor is to create a restoration that blends in with the surroundings. The two front teeth - upper central incisors -are the most dominant part of the smile, and they are used to determine the position and cant of a facial and dental midline. Studies suggest that the most important relationship to evaluate the aesthetics is the mediolateral inclination of the maxillary incisors. If the incisors are inclined by 2mm right or left, laypeople regard this as unesthetic.   Figs 1 & 2 show a trauma case with damaged right upper central incisor – 11. The assessment of the facial midline can only determine with a full-face photo; however, the images suggest enough to indicate...

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Morphology: Traditional Wax-up Technique for Anterior and Posterior Teeth

Advancement of CAD/CAM technology has been a game-changer for both dental clinicians and technicians. It provides consistency with natural anatomy and aesthetics in the production of dental prosthetics without the possessions of highly trained hands-on technical skills. Understanding the anatomy of natural dentition – morphology – in depth is, however, essential for all dental professionals. The traditional way of reproducing teeth in wax remains critical as a way of training because the knowledge and technique are utilised in the application of composite restorations, diagnostic wax-up, and better understanding in the aesthetics and functions. The following technique is what I presented at King’s College London for a postgraduate masters course in Prosthodontics and Aesthetics candidates, and was well received with high praises.   Model Preparation:   After...

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