Cosmetic Dentistry Temporary Clear Matrix Diagnostic By Greg Schubert CDT, Porcelain Veneers Expert

www.pro-craft.com

"Everyone smiles in the same language. ~Author Unknown"

Not many events in dentistry are more rewarding than taking part in the life changing experience of a patient who has just received a successful smile make over. On the other hand it can also be one of the most difficult and stressful events in your practice. Careful case planning with your laboratory technician and using the correct restorative protocols can take away the mystery and provide a road map for success.

Step One: Show them what they´re getting.

A Diagnostic Wax-Up should routinely be the first stop on our road map when cosmetically enhancing a patient´s smile. A well done wax-up will give you piece of mind and provide a predictable outcome as you meet with your patient and promise them the smile of their dreams. They are widely used in treatment presentations and increase patient case acceptance and satisfaction.

• When you begin discussions with your patient regarding their smile, start by determining the desired length of their centrals and then use a smile guide (like one from LVI or Discus Dental). Assist the patient in communicating their desired final result.

• Add a bite stick to determine the horizontal plane. You can now provide the laboratory the basic information they will need to begin the transformation process. This having been said, a fantastic, detailed wax-up only gets you half way to cosmetic nirvana… it´s only the next best thing to actually being there.

• To actually have the patient test drive their new smile is the ultimate result. This can only be realized by using a common temporary matrix fabricated in a most unique way.

Test drive the new smile!

The most accurate and convenient matrix for fabricating cosmetic temporaries utilizes a 1.5mm hard clear outer support shell with a secondary soft adaptive inner layer. In application, the temporary material is injected into the matrix and then placed on the patient´s prepared teeth. After the temporary material has been cured, the hard outer shell is removed and the soft inner layer can then be peeled off the formed temporaries. The result is temporaries that have minimal flash at the margin, well defined interproiximal contours and no distortion form a poorly supported or thin matrix.

The design of the Clear Matrix has clear benefits:

• The Clear Matrix is more comfortable for the patient and easier to use for the clinician. It´s not large and bulky like one made from silicone.

• Air bubbles in the temporary material become visible through the Clear Matrix and can easily be avoided.

• The ridged outer shell gives sufficient support to the soft inner layer, allowing the clinician to press the matrix firmly into position without distorting the temporary material. This is true even when there are not many remaining teeth to use as a point of reference.

• The proprietary soft inner layer of the Clear Matrix is highly adaptive and resilient,allowing for reproduction of the smallest details.

One last thing worth mentioning: your temps will only come out as good as your pre-op model, and your cosmetic restorations, only as good as your preps. The pre-operatory model you send to your laboratory must be clear and detailed without distortion and must reproduce the same tissue areas you would include in a good removable prosthesis impression. This will provide important tissue areas to help index the Clear Matrix when there may not be many remaining teeth. When requesting your diagnostic wax-up and Clear Matrix from your laboratory, ask that a prep guide is included. This will assist you in providing enough reduction in only the right areas, to facilitate the design of the cosmetic wax-up, and ultimately the final restorations.

Providing the patient with a positive memorable experience in your practice is the goal we are all striving for. Cosmetic diagnostic wax-up models and temporaries made from a proper matrix create predictability for the clinician and the patient. They provide consistent results that take the guess work out of your cosmetic dentistry. Changing someone´s life doesn´t just happen, it takes planning. Start the journey off in the right direction, and guide your patient to the smile of their dreams. To see more options or to speak with an expert, visit www.pro-craft.com or call 1-877-484-3522.