Updated on: 2025-12-04

• Common Mistakes in Custom Dental Bridges Fabrication
• Buyer’s Checklist
• FAQ Section
• Which materials are appropriate for anterior vs posterior bridges?
• How long can a bridge last with proper care and fabrication?
• What digital files and parameters should a clinic provide to the lab?
• Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts

Precision in bridge work depends on the synergy between clinic protocols and the laboratory’s digital and analog workflows. Early clarity around preparation design, soft-tissue capture, occlusal records, and shade transmission reduces both risk and cost. From high-resolution intraoral scans and accurate bite registration to software settings that manage cement space and connector geometry, each detail influences fit, strength, and esthetics. When practices and labs align their processes, they minimize adjustments and improve patient satisfaction. Whether you are optimizing an existing partnership or assessing a new supplier, this article provides a structured approach to planning, evaluation, and quality assurance.

Common Mistakes in Custom Dental Bridges Fabrication

• Inadequate soft-tissue capture at margins. Compressed or incomplete gingival detail can obscure finish lines. Use effective retraction and moisture control or a clear soft-tissue scan to ensure precise margin definition.

• Insufficient occlusal records. Missing or inaccurate bite scans lead to high spots and chairside adjustments. Capture centric relation consistently and verify occlusal vertical dimension prior to submitting scans.

• Poor connector design. Undersized or improperly shaped connectors can compromise stability. Confirm space and minimum cross-sectional area based on material guidelines before approving designs.

• Unclear pontic design instructions. Ridge-lap, modified ridge-lap, ovate, or hygienic forms require different tissue contact and emergence. Communicate intended pontic design with photos and clear notes.

• Generic cement space values. A one-size-fits-all spacer can cause either tight seating or weak retention. Request material-specific cement gap settings and verify that the lab honors them in CAM.

• Shade and characterization errors. A single shade tab photo rarely captures value and translucency. Provide controlled-light photos, stump shade, and a short written description of surface texture and glazing preferences.

• Ignoring prep geometry. Short walls or convergent angles reduce retention. Where possible, optimize taper and height, add auxiliary features, and coordinate with the lab on material selection that tolerates the preparation.

• Mixing implant platforms without confirming compatibility. Mismatched components create fit issues. Confirm interface standards and validated components with the lab before design begins.

• Skipping try-ins for complex esthetics. For multi-unit anterior cases, a printed or milled try-in can prevent costly remakes. Build this step into the timeline when esthetic risk is high.

• Limited post-fabrication QC. Relying only on visual checks misses internal discrepancies. Request digital inspection screenshots, contact mapping, and fit verification reports when available.

Buyer’s Checklist

• Credentials and traceability. Verify that the lab documents materials, lot numbers, and validated workflows for fixed partial dentures.

• Material portfolio and indications. Ensure availability of monolithic zirconia, layered zirconia, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and lithium disilicate for case-by-case selection.

• Digital intake standards. Confirm acceptance of open-format scans (STL/PLY), bite records, and color-calibrated images with consistent naming conventions.

• CAD parameters transparency. Request standard settings for cement space, margin offset, anatomic reduction, connector area, and minimum thickness by material.

• CAM accuracy and verification. Ask about milling strategies, tool management, sintering profiles, and post-sinter inspection protocols.

• Interface and component compatibility. For implant-supported bridges, confirm validated connections and access to high-quality components such as TruAbutment.

• Scan-to-lab connectivity. Validate secure and seamless file transfer, including options like IOConnect for predictable case submission.

• Esthetic communication. Require a shade protocol that captures value, chroma, translucency, and stump shade, plus a defined approach to surface texture and glaze.

• Functional checks. Ensure articulation in the lab replicates clinical records. Request contact mapping and occlusal scheme notes on delivery.

• QC documentation. Ask for photos, fit reports, and design screenshots that confirm margin integrity and connector geometry.

• Remake policy clarity. Understand criteria, timelines, and documentation needed to activate a remake or adjustment.

• Turnaround and logistics. Confirm production timelines, shipping methods, and packaging designed to protect contacts and margins.

• Data security and compliance. Ensure encryption, retention policies, and adherence to privacy regulations for patient files.

• Pilot first, then scale. Begin with a trial case to validate communication and outcomes. You can also request a sample case to assess workflow fit.

• Catalog clarity. Review available options, components, and materials via the lab’s Products to align expectations before ordering.

FAQ Section

Which materials are appropriate for anterior vs posterior bridges?

Material selection should reflect esthetic goals, occlusal load, and preparation geometry. In the anterior, layered zirconia or lithium disilicate frameworks can support natural translucency and surface texture when reduction allows. For higher-load posterior zones, monolithic zirconia is often chosen for its strength and wear resistance when polished properly. Porcelain-fused-to-metal remains an option in cases that require robust frameworks with a known history of performance. Discuss connector dimensions, minimum thickness, and cement space with the laboratory before design approval. When in doubt, share prep photos and bite records so the technician can recommend a material that aligns with the preparation, occlusion, and esthetic requirements.

How long can a bridge last with proper care and fabrication?

Lifespan is influenced by multiple factors: oral hygiene, occlusal forces, parafunctional habits, preparation design, material choice, and the accuracy of the lab workflow. Regular maintenance and professional checks support long-term function. A well-designed framework with appropriate connector dimensions and verified occlusion will better withstand daily use. Polished occlusal surfaces help manage antagonist wear. Clear post-delivery instructions on hygiene around abutments and pontic areas further reduce risk. Because every case differs, set expectations based on case complexity, patient-specific factors, and the documented quality controls used by the laboratory.

What digital files and parameters should a clinic provide to the lab?

Provide the highest-resolution intraoral scans available for both arches and the bite, with clear margin exposure at abutment teeth. Include calibrated photos showing shade tabs in the same plane as the teeth and, when relevant, a stump shade. Note preparation features and any special considerations such as ovate pontic sites, soft-tissue contours, or limited interocclusal space. In the lab prescription, state your preferred cement space, minimum thickness, and connector area for the selected material. If implants are involved, specify platform details, angulation, and required components, and verify compatibility with the lab in advance. Consistent file naming and a short case summary reduce ambiguity and speed design approval.

Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts

Reliable outcomes come from well-documented clinical records, transparent lab parameters, and consistent communication. Apply the checklist to confirm materials, CAD/CAM tolerances, interface compatibility, and QC documentation before case approval. When practices and laboratories coordinate shade, occlusion, connector design, and cement space, refinements are minimal and delivery is efficient. Use a small pilot to validate the partnership, then standardize the process. This disciplined approach turns complex bridge cases into predictable, repeatable results across your restorative portfolio.

Dental Valution Dental Lab https://dentalvalution.com.au/

Dental Valution