CATEGORY AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST 73 listened to all my aesthetic preferences when developing the treatment plan. She recommended bone grafting with Dr David Grossberg to address the hollowness and asymmetry that had been bothering me, and suggested completing whitening during the healing phase while the final bridge was created by Yugo at Smile Virtuoso. She spoke very highly of Yugo, saying he was the best person to achieve a truly natural result. My first consultation with Yugo was fantastic. Visiting his studio and gaining insight into his process made it clear that he is a true artist with a strong aesthetic eye. He creates work that is unique to each individual rather than following a standardised approach. The temporary bridge gave me a lot of confidence – the shape was more refined and immediately created better symmetry than the original bridge. While the temporary was in place, I underwent the bone grafting procedure, which went very well. It created a more symmetrical appearance by restoring volume to the previously hollow area where the canine root would have been. The final bridge exceeded my expectations. Yugo listened carefully to what I hoped to achieve (and I was picky!) and truly understood it. He created a bridge that completely disappears into my natural teeth. It has symmetrical shape, natural transparency, subtle colour variation, and realistic surface texture. It’s incredible. Yugo attended the fitting appointment, and I was instantly over the moon with the result. I felt that both Yugo and Dr Sophie genuinely cared about achieving a result I would be happy with long-term, and about me feeling comfortable and confident for years to come. Their attitude, interest in my case, and attention to detail made all the difference. In the week after the final bridge was fitted, I was beeped at red lights multiple times – because every time I stopped, I couldn’t resist checking my teeth in the rear-view mirror! Every mirror I walked past, I caught myself looking. I think the outcome is perfect because now I’m not really thinking about my teeth at all. All those small worries are gone. I just feel like I have nice teeth. Acknowledgement: I would like to sincerely thank Dr Sophie Lee of The Paddington Dental Surgery for her clinical excellence, thoughtful case planning, and collaborative approach throughout the treatment process. I would also like to acknowledge Dr David Grossberg of Sydney Periodontist Centre for his exceptional surgical management of the hard- and soft-tissue components of this case. Their attention to detail and shared commitment to achieving a refined aesthetic outcome were integral to its success. I would also like to thank Jay Woo of Mowbray Dental for the precise CAD/ CAM fabrication of the zirconia framework, which provided a reliable and accurate foundation for the subsequent ceramic work. u CLINICAL About the Author: Yugo Hatai is a distinguished Master Ceramist and one of Australia’s most respected dental technicians. Renowned for his unparalleled ability to recreate natural teeth with an artist’s touch, Yugo has transformed countless smiles. His work is celebrated by leading clinicians and technicians across the globe for its lifelike detail, emotional sensitivity, and technical precision. In 2008, Yugo founded Smile By Yugo – a creative sanctuary where his passion for aesthetics, fashion, and function merged into a singular vision: to restore smiles with natural harmony and authenticity. His work blends the intuitive artistry of a designer with the clinical discipline of a master technician. Over the years, Yugo has consistently elevated industry standards, serving as a thought leader and mentor within the global dental community. His commitment to excellence is unwavering – whether mentoring peers, influencing protocols, or pushing boundaries in aesthetic outcomes. His educational journey began with a lecture on Lava (3M ESPE) in 2008 and quickly blossomed into an international speaking career, including a keynote address at NZIDT in 2009. He has contributed numerous articles to Quintessence publications and is known for his ability to distil complex topics into clear, impactful insights. In 2011, Yugo established the School of Yugo, further solidifying his commitment to advancing the field through structured education. He has also served as a visiting clinical teacher at King’s College London, contributing to the postgraduate Master’s program in Prosthodontics and Aesthetics. Yugo’s ability to deliver innovative solutions is exemplified by his 2013 patent for the Aesthetic Articulator – a device that allows clinicians to visualise and communicate smile design outcomes with patients before clinical execution by showing how the diagnostic wax-up or final restoration integrates with the patient’s facial aesthetics, providing accurate visuals of virtual try-ins. This innovation bridges the gap between design and delivery, enabling collaborative planning and confident decision-making. It reflects Yugo’s core belief that exceptional smile design is only possible through precise, intentional communication – between technician, clinician, and patient. His ability to unify artistic vision with technical execution ensures that every restoration is not only beautiful, but also predictably aligned with the patient’s expectations. A graduate of the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Arts, Yugo is now preparing for the 2027 intake of the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program. This next chapter will allow him to unify his decades of aesthetic and technical mastery with clinical execution – fulfilling his vision of becoming the complete smile designer: the Smile Virtuoso. amalgadent.com.au 1800 806 450 malgadent Join us at Booth 226 ●Bisco TheraBase ●Bisco Duo-Link Universal ●Bisco TheraCal PT ●Bisco TheraCem ●Bisco TheraCal LC ●Bisco ZirClean ●Bisco Z-Prime ●Bisco Bis-Silane ●Bisco All-Bond Universal Proudly distributed by
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