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The Actual original model Derrall worked on

The Bridge That Built My Confidence

July 01, 20252 min read

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The Bridge That Built My Confidence

Throwback Case


While organizing the lab recently, I came across something that stopped me in my tracks. It was an old articulated model from a case I did back in 2010. It’s not just any case. This one holds a special place in my memory.

Frame of the 7 restoration bridge

At the time, I’d already been working here in the lab for over 18 years, but I had only owned it for two. We were still fully analog. Doctors haven't adopted intraoral scanners and I have not yet purchased and installed our digital CAD/CAM equipment, so the bridge was made entirely by hand. Although I've already done many large cases, I remember this well because it was the first complex case I had as the new lab owner. This was one those cases that pushed my skill set.

It was a 7-unit anterior PFM bridge with porcelain margins on all four abutments and with a canteliver pontic on #5. To make things trickier, the patient needed to have a tooth extracted. After taking the impression, the doctor requested to have #8 removed from the model and to design a pontic there while the tissue was still healing. Once the model work was done, I thought, “Okay, here we go.”

Original Rx from the restoration

I didn’t have a photo of the final restoration (unfortunately!), but holding the model again reminded me of the hours I spent getting the model work ready, waxing and finishing the metal framework, hand layering the porcelain prior to multiple bakes in the oven and the pressure I felt to get the contour and shade just right — I especially remember the satisfaction I had when the doctor called to tell me the patient was so happy with the outcome of his new smile.

That case challenged me and it also taught me a lot. I didn’t realize it then, but it was one of those turning points that helped build the quiet confidence I carry with me today. I still lean on the lessons I learned from it.

These days, so much of what we do has gone digital, but whether a restoration is designed and made digitally via CAD/CAM or made the analog way by hand — I always give my best craftsmanship to every case! This articulated model from 2010 is a great reminder of why I love what I do. I've had so many opportunities to help my doctors and patients throughout the many years of my career and I get to improve their lives every day!

Darrell Lee Signature

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Darrell Lee has been a key part of Berkeley Dental Laboratory for over three decades. After starting as an employee in 1992, he purchased the company from its previous owners in 2008 and has built it into what it has become today.

Darrell Lee

Darrell Lee has been a key part of Berkeley Dental Laboratory for over three decades. After starting as an employee in 1992, he purchased the company from its previous owners in 2008 and has built it into what it has become today.

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