Educational Articles
Engaging vs. Non-Engaging Abutments
One of the most common questions we get about implant restorations is the difference between engaging and non-engaging abutments and why we would use one over the other.Watch the VideoImplant...
UCLA Abutments Explained
UCLA abutments are stock parts and are made of a gold/palladium alloy interface with a plastic chimney. They can be used to make traditional screw-retained PFM (porcelain fused to metal) or FCG...
Dental Shade Photography Basics: Lighting Changes Everything
If you go to the hardware store, the paint department will often have a display showing how colors look very different under different types of light sources. This phenomenon is called metamerism....
The Temporary Snap Abutment by Nobel Biocare™
The Temporary Snap Abutment from Nobel Biocare™ is a newer product for conical connection implants. In this post, we explain the differences between the new snap abutment and a traditional temporary...
Dental Shade Photography Basics: Colorful Gloves
Once upon a time, you could only get medical gloves in one color…boring. Now, medical gloves come in a variety of materials and a rainbow of colors. Although practitioners love the choices, having...
Introducing the BLX® Dental Implant System from Straumann
In this article, we introduce you to the completely new BLX Dental Implant System from Straumann, which features a new connection that is unique from any of their previous offerings.Watch the Video...
The New Two-Piece PURE Ceramic Implant System by Straumann®
This implant is a new addition to the PURE ceramic implant line that was first introduced in 2014. Previously the PURE line only consisted of the monotype style implants. The Pure monotype implant...
Straumann Impression Coping Caps – Are they necessary?
A question I get often is if it’s OK to use a Straumann impression coping without the snap on cap. And for reference, each closed tray impression coping from Straumann comes with two of these little...
3.0 mm Dental Implants: A great option for limited space, but not without limitations
When a dental implant needs to go into a narrow edentulous space, a 3.0 mm implant might be the perfect solution. 3.0 mm implants are offered by several companies, including Nobel Biocare™,...
The Two IPS e.max® Restoration Production Methods
e.max® is a trade name for lithium disilicate (Li2Si2O5), which is a glass ceramic that is both strong and esthetic. e.max® is so esthetic, in fact, that it doesn't require veneering ceramic....
How Does the Locator R-Tx Compare to the Original Locator?
The original Locator® from Zest Dental Solutions is a much-used brand among dental clinicians for denture attachments. Recently, Zest has introduced the Locator R-TX® featuring some newer...
Dental Shade Photography Basics: Metamerism
Dental Shade Photography Basics: Metamerism a series by dental ceramics specialist Mitch Bourgeois, CDTMitch Bourgeois, CDT, explains the phenomenon of metamerism and its effect on shade matching....
Impression Coping Misuse
At O’Brien Dental Lab, a common mistake we see with implant impressions is the incorrect use of impression copings which can lead to inaccurate models. In this article, I’ll explain the error so...
How to Identify Unknown Dental Implants
At O’Brien Dental Lab, we receive monthly requests for help in identifying unknown dental implants. In this article, I cover the best ways for you to determine what those mystery implants are.Watch...
Dental Shade Photography Basics: Introduction
Dental Shade Photography Basics: Introduction a series by dental ceramics specialist Mitch Bourgeois, CDTIf you’re running a busy dental office day in and day out, learning shade photography may not...
Dental Shade Photography Basics: Camera & Flash
All great photography, whether for the dental office, for nature walks or for weddings, starts with the right hardware. If you don’t have the proper camera, lenses, and flash, you won’t get the...
The NobelPearl™ Metal-Free Dental Implant System from Nobel Biocare
Implant Specialist Alex Rugh, CDT, explains the NobelPearl Implant from Nobel Biocare.Watch the Video The NobelPearl™ implant is a two-piece ceramic system and it's Nobel Biocare's™ first metal free...
Abutment Retrieval Kit from Nobel Biocare
How to Use the Abutment Retrieval Kit by Nobel Biocare™ The great thing about modern implants is that the abutments have been engineered to stay in place once they have been torqued down. But...
CEREC Implant Impressions
Digital Implant Impressions with Alternative Scanbodies You may have already seen or used CEREC® scanbodies like this one. If you have – or are planning to --it's important to note that these...
What is Shade?
How do you create a lifelike restoration, that flows and harmonizes with the patient’s natural dentition? Ceramist Mitch Bourgeois walks you through how to communicate the shade of a restoration. In...
Micro Layered Zirconia Crowns (MLZ)
Micro layered zirconia (MLZ™) is a solution that combines the strength of full zirconia for the occlusal surface with layered ceramic for the esthetic zone. MLZs are indicated for the maxillary...
How to Make a Custom Impression Coping
Implant Specialist and CDT Alex Rugh walks you through the steps on how you can make a custom impression coping. With materials you have in the office, follow these steps to create an impression...
The New Angled Solutions System from Straumann
Implant Specialist Alex Rugh, CDT, explains the new Angled Solution System from Straumann®.Watch the VideoThe new Angled Solutions System from Straumann® allows for up to 25 degrees of angle...
Polishing Full-Contoured Zirconia Crowns
Technical advisor and CDT Tony Megale shows you how to make occlusal adjustments on a full-contoured zirconia crown. Tony takes you through the steps and tools used to achieve the required high...
Nobel Biocare Angled Screw Channel (ASC) Abutments
Implant specialist Alex Rugh, CDT, discusses Nobel Biocare’s Angled Screw Channel abutment which makes it possible to fabricate screw-retained restorations, even when the angle of the implant...
Encode Healing Abutments from Zimmer Biomet
Implant specialist and CDT Alex Rugh explains how Encode healing abutments from Zimmer Biomet can be used as an impression coping or scan body. Alex explains how these abutments are used and how to...
Nobel Biocare Closed Tray Impression Copings
O'Brien Implant Specialist and CDT Alex Rugh discusses impression copings for Nobel Biocare implants. Compatibility & Options Nobel Biocare has three implant systems that are each unique from...
How to Make a Partial Index of a Clasp Assembly
How to Make a Partial Index of a Clasp Assembly by technical advisor Tony Megale, CDTWatch O'Brien technical advisor and CDT Tony Megale give step by step instructions on making an index of a...
Atlantis Angled Screw Access
Introducing the Atlantis Angulated Screw Access Abutment by Implant Specialist Alex Rugh, CDTHear about the exciting new Atlantis Angled Screw Access Abutment from O’Brien Implant Specialist and CDT...
Digital Implant Impressions
Best Practices for Restoring Implants with Digital ImpressionsWith the right techniques and resources, digital implant impressions can be taken on practically any brand of intra-oral scanner. This...
Gold-Anodizing Titanium Abutments
Gold-Anodizing Titanium Abutments Implant Specialist Alex Rugh, CDTIn this video, implant specialist Alex Rugh, CDT, walks through the process of gold-anodizing titanium abutments, and the science...
Online Case-Tracking Tool Offers Clients Efficiency and Convenience
Alyssa from O’Brien provides a quick overview of our online case-tracking tool. Tracking Case Details The cases section provides real-time case information along with the ability to search or filter...