Fabricating a dental bridge requires several production steps that dental lab technicians handle. These craftsmen follow protocols to create crowns and restorations that fit the unique requirements of each patient. Here are the steps involved in creating dental bridges:
Impressions and Models
Fabricating bridges begins when the dental lab receives impressions and molds of the patient’s teeth. Technicians pour plaster or stone into the molds, which capture the mouth’s architecture and offer a structural reference for the bridge. They may also use digital scanners to create digital models of the teeth. These physical and digital models form the foundation for the custom framework. Impressions show the details of the prepared teeth and where crowns will be bonded. They help to show spacing and positioning that affect the final bridge.
Digital Design
The lab may then use digital design software to replicate the patient’s teeth and bite. Technicians design each individual crown unit in virtual 3D. These virtual restorations illustrate the size, shape, fit, and positioning within the arch. Labs reference the dentist’s instructions to align the restorations with clinical requirements and the patient’s occlusion. Software technologies enhance bridge design by catching possible interference points with surrounding structures that could destabilize the fit.
File Preparation
Technicians convert the approved digital bridge design into a special file format the fabrication machines can interpret. The file identifies each unit’s spatial specifications within the restoration’s framework. This input directs automated machinery, allowing milling tools to cut materials into each unit’s dimensions. The file acts like a map, guiding production equipment toward the desired result.
Zirconia Milling
The lab then inputs the bridge file into CAD/CAM milling machines. These tools follow the digital design to cut and carve each bridge from blocks of zirconia. As an aesthetic porcelain-like material, zirconia offers durability and translucency for dental applications. Milling blades sweep across solid zirconia blocks, shaving away excess material to reveal the underlying bridge shape. Technicians monitor progress to catch any mill issues that could affect the crown fit. Advanced milling processes show unique contours, grooves, inclines, and interfaces for precision seating on the prepared teeth.
Zirconia Bridges
Once milled, the bridges undergo firing and sintering inside specialized kilns to strengthen the material. High heat transforms zirconia into a non-brittle ceramic fitted for oral environments. After firing, technicians further refine shapes and dimensions with hand tools to achieve tight marginal fits. This combination of automated milling and artisan detailing offers accurate bridges.
Stain and Glaze
Technicians apply dental ceramics to the prepared zirconia to mimic the natural tooth enamel color. Layering ceramics and pigments in thin coats helps replicate natural tooth translucency. Dental ceramists may use artistry to control glaze thickness, textures, and zones of opacity to mask the underlying zirconia while creating natural tooth shades. This staining and glazing will enhance the bridge’s appearance.
Quality Check
Before releasing it to the dentist, technicians assess bridge dimensions against patient models. Any needed adjustments can then be made by grinding or adding ceramics. The quality control team reviews bridge integrity, durability, wear resistance, and aesthetic consistency.
Get Quality Dental Lab Services Today
Technicians combine digital design, automated milling, and artisanal staining to create zirconia bridges that help restore teeth. Their manufacturing process yields tailored dental restorations that enhance patient smiles. Partner with a dental lab for quality bridges today.
