Interview with Mohamed Taha, CDT
Mohamed Taha (MT) is a very tall and charismatic dental technician. His ability to connect with patients and technical know-how, make him one of the greatest lab technicians in Las Vegas. Taha’s professionalism and dedication to help patients with missing teeth is quite impressive! In our conversation, he provides an explanation about what kind of skills you need to finish ZirTeeth®.
Jelena Ugrenovic: How long have you been working as a dental lab technician?
CDT RECOGNITION
Mohamed Taha: I became a Certified Dental Technologist in 2004. Originally, I ran a small lab in Syria and then I got my Bachelor’s Degree in Dentistry in 2011. After that, I moved to the United States and got my Certified Dental Technologist training or CDT.
IN-HOUSE DENTAL LAB
MT: I completed my digital training in California and then moved to Las Vegas to become a lab manager at Clear Choice. Honestly, I didn’t enjoy that job because it was too corporate. I needed something more personal. Or a place where patients were treated like family. That’s when I found Dr Ilya Benjamin of ZirTeeth®. Now I feel like I have a purpose in life. At our Implant Center, you are not treated like a herd of cattle. We give undivided attention to each and every patient.
JU: That is great to hear. I see that your wall is covered with certificates and recognitions. Obviously, education is very important to you. Other than that, what would you say that distinguishes you from other dental technicians?
MASTERY OF THE KNOWLEDGE
MT: The key factor that makes me different from other lab technicians is that I am also foreign trained Dentist. Most technicians fabricate teeth without understanding basic dental physiology, but because I am a foreign trained Dentist, I can solve problems more dynamically. So, when I design a set of teeth, I combine my comprehensive knowledge of clinical experience. As a result, I can accomplish aesthetics and function at the same time.
JU: Other than design, is there anything else that’s important?
MT: Yes, fabrication of the product is very important. For instance, there are many materials that we can mill. All of them have their inherent properties that we need to address when sintering. I have some artisan tricks up my sleeve.
LEADING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY
JU: What kind of machines do you use to fabricate teeth?
MT: We use the latest technology in CAD/CAM to mill to 4 microns of accuracy. As you know, that’s ⅛ of a millimeter. That’s what we call “precision dentistry”. As a result, patients benefit more since the teeth fit and look better, not to mention last longer.
PREMIUM DENTAL IMPLANT MATERIAL
JU: I have spoken with many ZirTeeth® patients about how ZirTeeth® Permanent Bridge Solution has changed their life, but now I would like to give an insight to our audience what is going on behind the scenes. Can you please explain more about Zirconia, material used to create and replace a failing or no teeth?
ZIRCONIA BRIDGE ARTISTRY
MT: Zirconia is a very strong material and requires specific knowledge about chemistry and physical characteristics; it's very technique sensitive. For instance, we take a puck of zirconia which is aluminum oxide or white metal and turn it into glass structure. This is done through a process of sintering. Basically, we put it in the oven for the teeth to bake appropriate time. There are temperature cycles that it goes through. This is what makes it technique sensitive. It's hard material to work with and not everyone knows how.
JU: What is the difference between ZIrTeeth® dental lab and other labs?
MT: I have been in many other labs and I have seen different approaches toward Zirconia as a dental bridge material for All-on-4® concept. Some centers deliver products within half an hour which means treating material with huge temperature differences and at the shortest period of time. This will form micro-cracks in the bridge. It will not be visible but those cracks would develop during a time with patient’s chewing. I use a completely opposite approach.
PATIENT’S SAFETY: ZIRCONIA AS A BIO-INERT MATERIAL
JU: Is Zirconia safe material for patient’s health?
MT: Zirconia is very strong material even stronger than titanium. It contains metal atoms but it is not metal. It is chemically inert material, allowing good cell adhesion, and while no adverse systemic reactions have been associated with it. There is nothing you can eat or drink that can make this material react. You may leave it in a Coca- Cola for years, nothing will happen. It is completely safe material compared to some other materials that are porose.
TAKING CARE OF ZIRCONIA BRIDGE
JU: Is there any maintenance care required for Zirconia bridge?
MT: Since ZirTeeth® is like glass texture, it repels plaque and stains. Its resistant to foul smell that you get with denture teeth. We advise patients to use WaterPik at medium setting and brush teeth as they would normally. Every 2 years, we bring patients back to clean underneath with a Laser.
ACRYLIC BRIDGES OVER TITANIUM BAR
JU: There are some other practices that build acrylic bridges over a titanium bar. What do you think about this approach?
MT: There is a different chemical structure between these two materials and they do not physically engage together so during time (few months to a year) acrylic may chip out of the bar. Acrylic absorbs all chemicals from nutritions so it smells very badly and changes color. Zirconia is a long lasting material and it doesn’t chip. ZirTeeth® is a one- of-a-kind solution for patients that have failing or no teeth.
JU: Thank you for sharing with us your valuable insight!
By ZirTeeth’s Outreach Coordinator Jelena Ugrenovic
