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May 3-9, 201020 Lab Tribune United Kingdom Edition Getting started Taking on combination methods into your own treatment palette is certainly possible without at- tending dozens of seminars and reading numerous text books that are in any case frequently unavailable in English. Viewed objectively, an at- tachment project is nothing more than a larger bridge for the practitioner or a pair of inte- gral crowns to which something is added in the lab. The paral- lel features are created, so to speak, by the technician. With telescope work, this is perhaps a bit more challeng- ing. Here you need to follow a particular workflow in order to prepare the relevant teeth, so that they can be considered as a “anchor group” and display the optimal parallelism. This leads to slender inner telescopes and thus to an unobtrusive total view with the completed work. The most frequently pre- pared telescopic prosthesis is in the lower jaw with two tel- escopes on the still existing canines; this is effectively the “entry level” model. The col- laboration between the dentist and the dental technician really comes into play here. Taking all things together and with good planning in place, this not a dif- ficult process at all. Conclusion Combined dental replacement is the best method to meet the demands of the patent and prac- titioner without compromise. Combined dental replacement without clasps offers a high comfort for the wearer, more confidence and a very appealing aesthetic. Which combined dental replacement and which connecting elements form the best solution is determined by the profes- sional with each individu- al patient. The methods and tech- ni-ques shown here do not represent a stand alone solution for partial den- tal replacement. Far from it! Combination meth- ods can really come into their own when used to- gether with implants. They give the practitioner the opportunity to find optimal solutions for the patient, who might other- wise only be treated with diffi- culty or not at all. DT About the author Ulrich Heker is the owner-manager of Ulrich Heker Dental Laboratory, founded in 1996 with the strap line ‘TEETH ‘R’ US’. As aqualified master craftsman (German Master Dental Technician) since 1991, he has over 26 years’ experience both at the bench and in running a successful business. Ulrich lives in Mülheim on the river Ruhr and is an accomplished ‘western- style’ rider in his spare time. Ulrich is fluent in English and can easily be contacted by calling +49 201 797 955, visiting www.german-smile.info, or emailing Ulrich@Teethrus.de. References Goslee, H., Principles and Practice of Crown and Bridgework, 5th Edition. New York: Dental Item of Interest Publishing Company, 1923. Peeso, F. A., Crown and bridge-work: for students and practitioners, Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1916. page 19DTß Fig.6 Complete work ready for cementing Fig.7 Telescopic crowns with metal frame