Peter Pizzi, CDT, MDT

Ceramic layering is still the most critical aspect of an esthetic restoration regardless of the ceramic material used or the substructure makeup. Whether the base structure for our ceramic was fabricated by hand, CAD/CAM milled, or pressed, our ability to understand the layering process is still the key to success.

When our patients look to make changes in their smiles, it does not always need to be a full mouth rehab. In certain cases, depending on the lip dynamics, four to six teeth may be ideal for a major change in a patient’s appearance. The key to making a change is always about tooth position, shape and color. And each one of these plays a different role in the makeover process.

In today’s option-filled world of dental technology, some of our design decisions are made based on the time frame allowed for our cases, or should I say rushing the case through before the patient has to leave on the space shuttle. Others are made based on our comfort level with material choices, while yet others are made based on our ability to access alternative solutions such as outsourcing or processes of our cases. In all scenarios, it’s up to us to have a toolbox to draw from for esthetic options for every case situation.

It seems to me that in most articles about teamwork today-including several of mine-the teamwork concept is almost always talking about the dentist/technician relationship and the process that takes place between the laboratory and the operatory.