Dandy’s metal bridges are fabricated using digital technology, allowing for a precise fit and customization to the patient's specific needs. They are made of a highly durable and biocompatible material, ensuring long-term comfort and function.
Indications for Use
Dandy’s metal bridges are made to restore worn, carious, broken, and aesthetically unpleasing dentition.
They:.
- Replace one or more missing permanent teeth (bridges) by spanning the edentulous space and being supported by natural teeth or dental implants
- Restore the form, function, and esthetics of natural dentition.
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Provide occlusal stability and maintain proper interarch relationships.
Contraindication
Crowns should be used with caution in patients with uncontrolled periodontal disease, severe bone resorption, or oral lesions.
Potential Risks and Benefits of Metal Bridges
Advise patients of the following
The use of fixed restorations may have potential risks, including failure, misfit, breakage, and recurrent caries.
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**Warning – Sensitivity:
- This device contains a level of metal (including nickel). Patients with sensitivity or allergy to metals should be informed by the treating clinician of the presence of these compounds in the device prior to treatment. In rare cases, allergic reactions may occur in sensitized individuals.
- *Warning – Irritation:
- Localized irritation of surrounding oral tissues may occur in certain individuals due to individual variability in tissue response. Patients should be monitored post-placement, and any signs of irritation, inflammation, or discomfort should be evaluated by the treating clinician.
However, the benefits include improved speech, comfort, appearance, chewing, and digestion.
Restoration and Cementation
- Test fit all restorations to ensure adequate fit and aesthetics
- Take x-ray if margins are not visible to ensure proper adaptation
- Adjust high spots (using articulating paper to mark areas)
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Cementation of restoration
- Metal crowns require air abrasion with alumina particles for enhanced adhesion.
- Tooth pretreatment
- Please see: Full Metal and Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM) Cementation and Adjustment Guidelines, for more information.
Adjustment recommendations
- Operate the bur at high speed, applying minimal pressure while using water.
- It's important to maintain the temperature using water and air spray. This method helps prevent the formation of micro-fractures. A fine-grit diamond is advisable for adjustments, and air-only handpiece adjustments are not recommended.
- For shaping different surfaces, specific tools are best:
- A football-shaped bur is effective for the occlusal and lingual surfaces, especially on anterior teeth
- A tapered bur is better suited for the buccal and lingual surfaces.
Daily Cleaning
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Oral Hygiene:
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Brushing:
- Recommended brushing teeth twice a day, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste.
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Flossing:
- Recommend daily flossing to remove plaque and debris from between the teeth and around the fixed restoration. A floss threader may be needed for hard to reach areas (for bridges).
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Mouthwash:
- Alcohol-based mouthwashes, tend to dry out the mouth and lead to increased plaque and tartar buildup.
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Brushing:
Dietary and Habit Recommendations
- Avoid abrasive foods: Limit hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that can damage the restoration or cause it to loosen.
- Avoid sugary foods: where new cavities can form or cause premature decay of the restorative margins.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water will help keep your patient’s mouth clean and prevent gum disease.
- Avoid bad habits: Refrain from using teeth to open packages or bite on hard objects.
Additional Information
- If the patient experiences any adverse events, such as pain or irritation, they should contact your practice immediately.
- Metal bridges have a limited warranty, which may vary depending on the manufacturer.
- Smoking with restorations can cause discoloration
Disposal
- Dandy asks that restorations that contain precious metals created by Dandy that need refabrication, be returned to us.
- Disposing of metal dental restorations involves either recycling them as precious metals (especially if gold alloy) through specialized refineries or scrap dealers for value, or general recycling if non-precious (like steel), but never in regular trash.
- Precious Metal Refining: Many dental restorations contain valuable metals, making them a valuable asset for recycling.
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Specialized Refiners: Some companies offer mail-in programs where you send in your scrap in prepaid, insured envelopes for assay and payment.
- How it Works: You send your restorations, they refine the metals, and pay you based on current market prices, often with insured shipping.
For Non-Precious Metal Restorations
- Dandy restorations that need refabrication, do not have to be returned to us.
- Scrap Metal Dealers: various scrap metals, offering pickup or drop-off, though you'd need to confirm if they take small dental items.
- General Recycling: Check with your local sanitation department for guidelines on disposing of bulk or metal items if it's not a dental office scenario.
Key Takeaway
- Don't trash it: Don't throw valuable metal crowns in the regular trash.
- Identify the metal: Determine if it's precious (gold) or non-precious (steel/nickel).
- Sell or Recycle: Sell precious metals to a refiner or take non-precious metals to a scrap yard.
ADA Codes
- Multiple codes are available
- Please consult with a CDT for recent information.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Attached are the Material Safety Data Sheets for our Fixed Materials.