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We mentioned maintaining symmetry multiple times. That is,
once you achieve it through the initial Biogeneric Copy proposal,
you never want to lose it. Any changes you make after that initial
proposal, youwant them to be symmetric changes. One of themost
effective tools in the software to accomplish this is called “Link
Options.” You can select this via the right Side Bar menu (Fig. 8),
or via a shortcut to Tool Wheel by hitting the “F” key. When you
select Link Options, youwant to group the teeth together symmet-
rically (Fig. 9). This will ensure that any changes you make to one
tooth will symmetrically change the other tooth as well (Fig. 10).
Using the Link Options, any modifications in length, contour,
midline, texture or anatomy can be executed perfectly symmetrically
between the teeth. This leaves the proximal contact. As discussed
previously, the contact between the central incisors is very heavy. It
would seem that you can just adjust the contacts symmetrically with
Link Options selected; but when you trim away the Upper Jaw, the
teeth will be fused and you have no access to the proximal contact
(Fig. 11). Obviously, this method will not work to adjust the contacts.
Trying to adjust themtraditionally (unlinked) is possible, but it is very
difficult tomaintain symmetry of themidline contact simply by going
back and forth between the teeth until the contact is right.
Thankfully, there is a way to accomplish a perfectly symmetric
midline with a perfect contact area by a few simple steps:
• When we left off with the design, the restorations were linked
together symmetrically. The first thing that we want to do is go
to Link Options and turn off the “Group” function. This will
only leave tooth #8 active (Fig. 12).
• After the teeth are no longer linked together, go ahead and trim
the model as normal via Display Objects or the Tool Wheel
(“E” key). (Fig. 13)
• This step is the “magic” of the process. With tooth #8 by itself on
the screen, go back to “Link Options” and select “Symmetrical.”
What this will do is link the teeth together as before, but with #9
not on the screen and hidden in the background (Fig. 14).
• You now have the contact of tooth #8 available to adjust and as
youmake changes, they will happen symmetrically to themesial
of #9 in the background. The tool that I feel works best for this
modification is the Smooth tool. Make sure you use a low inten-
sity when doing this (Fig. 15).
After adjusting the contact symmetrically with the smooth tool,
you should have a turquoise/green contact area at the midline
(Figs. 16 and 17). This contact intensity should allow perfect
seating with still a little room for polishing if necessary. You can
Fig. 15: Smooth tool utilized
Fig. 16: Checking contact size and strength
Fig. 17: Viewing interproximal contacts
