Dental Crowns and Bridges Fabrication Procedure: The Highly Effective Process

In dentistry, the quality and durability of dental crowns and bridges are key to successful treatment outcomes. To achieve this success, the crafting process must ensure precision at every step, delivering the best products for patients. This article will explore the perfect method for crafting dental crowns and bridges.

The Difference Between Dental Crowns and Bridges

Dental crowns and bridges are restorative solutions for one or more missing teeth, crafted from materials such as dental alloys or porcelain. Acting as a protective shell, the crown fits over a damaged or decayed tooth, providing reinforcement, restoring form, and improving function. Bridges fill the space by using the neighboring teeth as anchors to form a structure resembling a bridge.

Dental crowns and bridges are restored for missing teeth

The dental crowns and bridges feature is permanently fixed onto natural tooth stumps or dental implants, eliminating the need for removal during cleaning. These restorations can be made from Ceramic, PFM, Full-Cast Metal, etc.

Dental crowns and bridges are made from different materials

Ceramic crowns and bridges

• Advantages: Ceramic crowns and bridges have high durability and excellent strength (especially with zirconia), superior aesthetics, and are suitable for anterior and posterior teeth.
• Disadvantages: Higher cost compared to other materials; requires meticulous fabrication techniques.
• Indications: Ideal for anterior teeth and posterior regions requiring strength and aesthetics.
• Cost: The most expensive among common restorative materials.

Dental crowns and bridges can be made from ceramic

PFM (Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal) crowns and bridges

• Advantages: PFM combines the strength of metal with the aesthetics of porcelain, has good load-bearing capacity, and is reasonably priced.
• Disadvantages: The metal crowns and bridges may become visible over time, reducing aesthetics compared to ceramic.
• Indications: Suitable for posterior restorations or areas subjected to heavy chewing forces.
• Cost: Moderate—less expensive than ceramic but more costly than full-cast metal.

PFM crowns and bridges

Full-cast metal crowns and bridges

• Advantages: Full-cast metal has exceptional durability, and resistance to cracking or fractures, ideal for posterior teeth and high-stress areas.
• Disadvantages: Poor aesthetics due to the unnatural metallic appearance, limiting its use in anterior regions.
• Indications: Best for molars or areas where aesthetics are not a priority.
• Cost: The least expensive option, making it accessible to a broader range of patients.

Dental crowns and bridges made from full metal are strong

How Are Dental Crowns and Bridges Made?

Crafting dental crowns and bridges demands absolute precision and advanced techniques to ensure superior quality in tooth restoration. Thanks to cutting-edge technology and the expertise of lab technicians, the process has been optimized in terms of both time and quality.

1. Impression Taking and Scanning

The process begins with the dentist taking an impression of the patient’s teeth and sending it to the dental lab. There are two methods for dental impressions: traditional impressions and CAD/CAM scanning technology:

• Traditional Impressions: This method uses alginate or silicone to create a physical mold directly from the patient’s mouth. Its advantage is low cost, but the process takes longer due to the need to transport physical models to the lab. Additionally, there is a risk of deformation or loss of the sample during transportation.

Before creating dental crowns and bridges, we start to take an impression

• Digital Scanning Technology: This method utilizes digital scanners to capture images directly from the patient’s mouth, allowing files to be sent instantly via the Internet. It ensures high accuracy and reduces processing time but requires a significant initial investment and skilled technicians to operate the equipment effectively.

2. CAD (Computer-Aided Design)

Lab technicians use CAD software to design the detailed structure of dental crowns and bridges. This technology optimizes precision, minimizes errors, and allows technicians to adjust every little detail to ensure a perfect restoration. This step requires technicians to have experience and expertise in designing restorations that provide an optimal fit with the patient’s occlusion.

3. CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing)

The information obtained in the design is then transferred for manufacturing to a CNC milling machine or 3D printer, with material selection often being porcelain or metal, depending on the requirements of the case. This step will ensure high precision and strength for dental crowns and bridges. 

Using CAD/CAM in crafting dental crowns and bridges

4. Contouring

After milling, the product is fired in a high-temperature oven to enhance hardness and achieve natural color tones. Then, technicians contour and refine the porcelain surface to finalize its shape. This process requires a high level of skill to create a natural and harmonious appearance for the teeth.

Precision in creating dental crowns and bridges

5. Stainning

The staining gives the dental crowns and bridges a natural tooth-like appearance. This step requires high technical skill to control the color and translucency of the patient’s natural teeth.

Stanning gives it a natural visual

6. Quality Control

Dental crowns and bridges undergo a series of rigorous quality checks to ensure that no technical and aesthetic defects are found. It will involve checking the alignment of the bite, fit, and general appearance.

7. Packaging and Delivery

After packaging, the product is shipped to either the dentist or the dental laboratory. This final step ensures that the dentist receives a high-quality restoration, ready for placement in the patient’s mouth.

Advantages of an Ideal Manufacturing Process

The standard manufacturing process not only enhances the durability and aesthetics of dental crowns and bridges but also ensures the prosthesis’s comfort and functionality during use. Dentists using quality dental crowns and bridges minimize risks during the assembly and adjustment, save time, and improve their prestige in the dental practice. Besides, these restorations improve the chewing function of the patients, are aesthetic, and give a feeling of comfort, like natural teeth.

Conclusion 

Quality dental crowns and bridges require the selection of appropriately experienced dental laboratories and technicians who utilize advanced technology. By doing so, this not only results in higher quality but also builds trust between dentists and their patients.

VTS produces dental restorations using cutting-edge technology to ensure the highest quality. For information, please keep in touch with our office.