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Before and After 2012: Smile Makeover – Achieving Significant Change in Proportion with porcelain veneers

Feb 05. 2021

A Caucasian male patient in his 30s was deeply concerned about the aesthetics of his smile. There are several issues we had to address: most notably, changing the proportion and tooth size within the aesthetic zone, crown-lengthening/gum-contouring, and a replacement of a missing tooth on 14 (right first-premolar). We selected a Zirconia bridge on 15-13, and lithium disilicate (e.max) veneers for the rest – 12-26 (missing 25), from the right second-premolar to the left first-molar, a total of 10 units. I must admit that this case was one of the most challenging smile makeovers I had encountered at that time, but the result spoke for itself. The patient was “over the moon” with the outcome. The key to achieving such a result was...

BEFORE AND AFTER

Before and After 2011: Setting a Benchmark in Digital Photography

Jan 29. 2021

A male patient in his 30s presented with the aesthetic concerns on the gummy smile and prominent hypocalcification on the central incisors. Hypocalcification is a condition where your tooth’s enamel has an insufficient amount of calcium. When this happens, the enamel still covers the tooth’s surface but parts can be thin and weak, giving teeth an opaque or chalky appearance. We decided to proceed with crown-lengthening, to begin with, and lithium disilicate (e.max) veneers on the central incisors for the better blend with the rest of natural dentition. Figs 1, 3 and 5 show the pre-op condition. Figs 2, 4 and 6 show after completion of the crown-lengthening for the upper arch. See the consistency in the provided photos – retracted view,...

Philosophy

Ambition – Do you have what it takes to become someone? (GAMSAT Essay Example)

Jan 22. 2021

Consider the following comments and develop a piece of writing in response to one or more of them. Your writing will be judged on the quality of your response to the theme, how well you organise and present your point of view, and how effectively you express yourself. ‘Well is it known that ambition can creep as well as soar.’ – Edmund Burke ‘I had rather be right than be President.’ – Henry Clay ‘All ambitions are lawful except those which climb upwards on the miseries or credulities of mankind’ – Joseph Conrad ‘He is loyal to his own career but only incidentally to anything or anyone else.’ – Hugh Dalton ‘There is always room at the top.’ – Daniel...

PUBLICATIONS

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

Jan 15. 2021

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....

BEFORE AND AFTER

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

Jan 08. 2021

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...

PERSONAL

Behind My Student Masterpiece at Osaka University Dental Hospital

Jan 01. 2021

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...

BEFORE AND AFTER

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

Jan 01. 2021

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...

PERSONAL

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

Jan 01. 2021

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

Foundations: Understanding GAMSAT Section 2 Before You Read Further

Reproducing Nature Part 1: Understanding the Composition of Natural Dentition

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

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

Before and After 2012: Smile Makeover – Achieving Significant Change in Proportion with porcelain veneers

Feb 05. 2021

Before and After 2011: Setting a Benchmark in Digital Photography

Jan 29. 2021

Ambition – Do you have what it takes to become someone? (GAMSAT Essay Example)

Jan 22. 2021

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

Jan 15. 2021

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

Jan 08. 2021

Behind My Student Masterpiece at Osaka University Dental Hospital

Jan 01. 2021

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

Jan 01. 2021

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

Jan 01. 2021