FX Veneers Dental Laboratory Inc.: Frequently Asked Questions

AACD accreditation
Q: I am a dentist practicing in the US and I would like to team up with a technician to work on my accreditation for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Would you be willing to only take my accreditation cases as I am using a local lab for the majority of my regular work?

A: I do not really discriminate between an accreditation case or a non accreditation case, as I believe that all of the work should be proceeded according to the AACD accreditation protocol. Yes, I would be more than happy to work with you on those cases.

Marek

Breaking crown
Q: Could you please recommend a strongest restoration available suitable for the premolars' area, as one of my patients keeps on chipping the porcelain on her all ceramic..... crown and this is the third time that I had to replace it in the past year.

A: I do not think that finding the strongest restoration is a best solution in a case that resulted in a fracture of porcelain 3 times in a row.
Every time a porcelain fractures, it is actually a great indication that there is a problem (usually mechanical/occlusal), and by prescribing a stronger material you might prevent further fracturing of the restoration, however, is this going to solve the problem?

Marek

New to cosmetic dentistry
Q: I am a new grad with very little experience in anterior work and cases that involve restoring more than a single posterior tooth. Where do I start, as we had very little training in that department?

A: The best way to start would be to start small but follow all of the procedures as working on a larger case and then gradually move forward towards larger cases establishing your own protocol along the way.
You might find some useful information in my Oral Health article The Surprise Box: "Milestones of Cosmetic Dentistry Protocol" You could also download our RX that might be your initial guide to what kind of records the lab will need from you in order to accomplish a successful case.

Marek

Single tooth reconstruction
Q: I am restoring tooth #1.2 for a very picky patient. What type of restoration should I prescribe for the best result?

A: There are few factors that would determine the type of restoration suitable for a particular case and it is usually a combination of those factors that after being assessed produce grounds to prescribe the best type of restoration for each particular patient.
Some of these factors are:
- Color/translucency of the existing dentition
- Stumph shade of the prepared abutment
- Amount of reduction
- Design of the preparation
- Finish of the preparation

For example: If you are restoring tooth number 1.2 that is very translucent (bluish) where the amount of reduction is limited due to the size of the tooth it would be very difficult to match it with the rest of the dentition using a frame supported restoration such as Procera, Empress, Zirconia or PFM. In a case like this it would be the best to fabricate a feldspathic restoration where no frame is required and high levels of translucency are easily achieved, however, if the abutment is discolored due to an endodontic treatment that option would have to be approached differently.
The best way to proceed with such a case would be to discuss all of the existing factors with your ceramist and possibly supply him with a high quality digital images of the teeth to be matched with a shade tab beside them, and take it from there.

Marek