Crown and Bridge Workflow
A confident smile reflects self-assurance, and for many, that begins with having a perfect set of teeth. However, not everyone is naturally gifted with flawless teeth. Fortunately, advancements in dental technology have made it possible to achieve a beautiful, natural smile through dental crowns and bridges. These prosthetic devices are meticulously crafted to restore damaged or missing teeth, allowing patients to regain confidence. But how exactly are crowns and bridges made? The process involves a highly detailed workflow that begins at the dentist’s office and ends in a
specialized dental laboratory, where skilled technicians turn impressions into custom-made restorations. In this blog, we’ll explore the key steps involved in creating crowns and bridges.
Step 1: Case Arrival
The workflow begins with the dentist taking an impression of the patient’s teeth. This can be done using traditional materials like alginate or with digital scanning technology. Physical impressions are typically shipped to the dental lab, while digital files are transmitted instantly through online portals. Upon arrival at the lab, all physical cases undergo a thorough inspection. The Shipping and Receiving team disinfects the materials in accordance with OSHA guidelines and ensures that the impressions are free from defects that could impact the final restoration.
Step 2: Data Entry and Case Documentation
Once the case passes the initial inspection, it moves on to the data entry stage. At this point, the lab team enters all the relevant information into a software system, such as the Atlanta Based Systems Evolution Software. This software not only records the dentist’s instructions, product type, and shade preferences, but it also generates a detailed work ticket for the technicians. Additionally, each case is carefully documented with photographs to ensure a reference is available throughout the workflow, providing a clear history of the case for future consultations.
Step 3: Modeling and Design
The next step in the workflow is the modeling and design process. If the impression was taken using traditional methods, it is sent to the model department, where technicians pour, pin, and articulate the impression to create a detailed physical model of the patient’s teeth. This model is inspected for any issues before moving forward. For cases that begin digitally, the scanned file is sent directly to the CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing) department. There, technicians design the crown or bridge using advanced software, which allows for precise customization based on the patient’s dental anatomy.
Step 4: Prosthesis Fabrication
With the design approved, the prosthesis fabrication process begins. Depending on the materials chosen—whether porcelain, zirconia, or a combination—the design is either milled, printed, or cast. For digital cases, the design is transferred to milling machines, where technicians nest the case within milling blocks. The prosthetic device is then carefully crafted from the selected material, ensuring both strength and aesthetics. For traditional wax or metal cases, the fabrication involves casting or pressing the material to create the prosthetic.
Step 5: Fit, Contour, and Customization
CAD/CAM technology enables dental technicians to create highly customized prosthetics tailored to each patient’s unique dental anatomy. By using 3D digital models of the patient’s mouth, technicians can craft restorations that mimic the exact size, shape, and color of the patient’s natural teeth. For porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns, the metal framework is fitted and layered with porcelain before being custom-stained and glazed to achieve a lifelike appearance. For full zirconia or lithium disilicate restorations, technicians carefully stain and glaze the prosthesis to match the patient’s tooth color, ensuring a seamless, natural look.
Step 6: Final Quality Control and Delivery
Before the crown or bridge is sent back to the dentist, it undergoes a rigorous quality control process. Here, the restoration is checked for proper fit, color accuracy, and overall durability. Once the technicians are satisfied with the final product, it is invoiced, packaged, and shipped to the dentist’s office. Upon receiving the prosthesis, the dentist will test its fit and make any final adjustments before placing it in the patient’s mouth.
Conclusion
The workflow behind the creation of crowns and bridges is a complex, highly detailed process that combines technology, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. From the initial impression to the final product, each step is designed to ensure the highest quality restoration for patients. By working hand-in-hand with dental labs, dentists can provide their patients with custom-made crowns and bridges that restore both function and aesthetics, leading to a healthier, more confident smile.
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