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Corporate Profile: LSK121 Oral Prosthetics by Benjamin Lund, Editor, Dentaltown Magazine

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by Benjamin Lund, Editor, Dentaltown Magazine

LSK121 specializes in three new areas to create some of the most realistic restorations in the world dental market

Much has changed at LSK121 since we first featured the Naperville, Illinois-based dental lab on the cover of Dentaltown Magazine two years ago. Fueled by the passion of lab founder Luke Kahng, CDT, the lab has recently introduced its newest improvements in its shade-matching system, all-on-four ceramic cases and Kaleidoscope Wax-ups in order to produce some of the most realistic restorations in dentistry. We recently sat down with Kahng to learn more about these new specialties, how they were developed and their positive impact on dentistry.

First, tell me about your Seasons of Life selections shading system. Why did you choose Seasons of Life as the name for your shade tabs? How does this system ensure a good match for young, middle-aged and elderly patients?
Kahng: As we age, our dentition changes. I was discussing that process with Dr. Joseph Caruso of Chicago and he suggested that I call my new shade matching system by this name. I thought it was a great idea because it aptly identifies exactly what we were talking about. Young people’s teeth match the concept behind the 3.0 series – bright color and rough texture. When we reach the age of 30 or so, we might begin to see a little bit of staining to the teeth. As we age, this becomes more intense which will often lead patients to bleach their teeth – resulting in a white/clear/pinkish tone. In the later years, we will begin to see transparency with dentin inside, exhibiting an even darker color. Lifestyles and patients’ background will often play a role in their teeth color, too.

My question for the dentist is: Do you have any tools to mimic this process when you are prescribing your patients’ restorations? Our system breaks it down and simplifies it for all dental professionals.

Is this a total replacement of your Chairside Shade Guide?
Kahng: These shade tabs were born from the 2009 Chairside Shade Guide – versions 1 and 2. The difference is that they are handmade ceramic shade tabs, with customized common colors often used by the dentist. I was very pleased with the results of my Chairside Shade Guide but because dentists are used to shade tabs, I began to think that I needed to translate my ideas into a language that is universally understood. Hence, the Seasons of Life shade tabs were created. The formula can be duplicated and translated into any type of porcelain and can be used comprehensively.

You had already put a lot of research into your Chairside Shade Guide. What motivated you to continue working on this?
Kahng: Honestly, with all the changes in dentistry and the technology we employ, I have to ask why we are still using a 30- year-old system for matching tooth color! Surely our advances should lead to higher expectations from dental professionals. This has become my passion and my mission – to change the way we handle color matching.

We all talk about natural-looking restorations but we have not had any tools that provide that distinction. I’ve spent countless hours trying to produce a formula that can be easily replicated and produced in a restoration. In the end, I know that only about 30 percent of dentists will be interested in this system. But I am hoping that they will consider it as a positive change in the profession and a way to provide exactly what their patients expect treatment-wise.

How did you arrive at the colors for this system? How did you narrow them down? And are the shade tabs manufactured or handmade?
Kahng: It took quite a bit of effort to narrow down the most common colors from the millions that I have seen. I then had to categorize the colors according to where the patient is in his life and what changes we can expect to see in the natural dentition.

Sometimes we will see bright, high opacity, sometimes dark, high transparency. In between there we can count on seeing all kinds of modifications such as white calcification and shades of tan. Everything is organized based on colors from bleaching and A1-D6. The difference is the enamel modifications to create the different colors. The shade tabs are handmade from porcelain ceramic. The specific formula requires that for each one we follow a 12-step process, meticulously measured and processed by the technician.

How does this new system work for the dentist?
Kahng: We have to take into consideration many aspects of their cases – such as shade and shape – before we can begin. We have all the traditional shade tabs here in our lab, as well as the Seasons of Life shading system. We show them all to the patient in an effort to better communicate the best color – it is all categorized within the Seasons of Life shade tabs.

I recommend that the dentist buy one tray and test drive it, step by step, in order to see how easily it works. Do you have an abundance of young, middle-aged or elderly patients in your practice? Choose one group and begin with that first. Our shade tabs are simple to follow and the system is easily taught to the staff. Traditional bleaching color shade tabs are monochromatic and will not offer the many modifications we actually see in the mouth.

What sort of feedback are you getting from dentists and patients?
Kahng: We launched the system at the Chicago Midwinter meeting in February 2012. The general feedback has been very positive. One doctor even told me that he now understands natural teeth characteristics after utilizing my shade tabs with his patients! Our feedback has been especially positive regarding cosmetic case color selection, deep translucency with enamel modification, implant tissue and after-prep color. Clients especially like the fact that this is an all-in-one shading system.

How does one learn about this system? Is it proprietary to LSK121?
Kahng: Our lab has used only GC Initial Porcelain System from GC America for more than nine years now. It will be offering hands-on technician classes with formula replication instructions. However, technicians do not have to be using GC porcelain to get these results. They simply have to use a conversion chart in order to achieve the same color replication. Yes, it is proprietary only to LSK121 as of now.

Can you tell me why you say most restorations don’t look natural and how your system helps with cosmetic case acceptance?
Kahng: Many dentists work with insurance programs and are under certain budget restraints. They can’t exceed that budget to get a restoration with better looking color. They have many expenses which must be met and so they continue to work with their traditional shade tabs when trying to match color.

Traditional shade tabs were created based on value, hue and chroma – a truly scientific philosophy! My problem with them is, in my experience, they do not match natural dentition. They match fake teeth, yes, but not natural teeth. Why is this? In my research, and after publishing 95 articles nationwide, it is because the enamel overlay color is the same on each shade tab, but we do not find this in natural dentition. In order to achieve a real match with natural dentition, we must have a different enamel overlay color on each shade tab. Only then will we be able to provide more than a “guide” and begin to communicate what the true color is.

We understand that you are now fabricating All-on-4 restorations using ceramic teeth rather than the traditional denture teeth. Can you explain what made you decide to do that?
Kahng: We have made tremendous efforts to fabricate the best possible restorations, including fine-tuning our All-on-4 restorations. Several years ago we were using denture teeth which I have never thought look natural. They stain easily and have to be frequently cleaned. This is a big inconvenience for the patient. However, ceramic teeth do not have those inconveniences and they look very natural besides. For a bit more money, the patient can expect better aesthetics, hygiene and convenience – translating to more confidence in their appearance. Also, if a tooth happens to crack, the dentist can take a pick up impression, send it to the lab and a new tooth can be cemented or bonded to the bar.

When a dentist works with LSK121, what sort of communication can they expect?
Kahng: E-mail, e-mail photos, Facebook, Constant Contact, Web site, Skype – we utilize everything.

When we are working on a rehabilitation case, we take a picture of each step and send it through e-mail to the doctor for feedback and evaluation. We try to maintain this type of communication as the key to successful restorations and casework.

What is the purpose of the color used in the treatment plan Kaleidoscope Wax-up? What’s the benefit of this for the dentist?
Kahng: This is a diagnostic tool as a guide for the dentist and the patient. It offers precise and realistic preparation design with its lifelike and realistic appearance. The doctor can follow the design for a predictable outcome and for tissue design, if he wants to. The Kaleidoscope Wax-up is helpful with case acceptance for each patient’s different situation. We can, from the doctor’s model, offer the best case design and alignment by prepping moderately or with detailed guidance. We are also able to narrow down our tissue design because without proper tissue design, we cannot get the best cosmetic results. For case acceptance from the patient, colored wax is useful for the final color tone the case will eventually have.

Tell me a little bit more about your lab and its future.
Kahng: We use our own milling machine, along with multiple scanners, which makes us a “one-stop shop.” Our turnaround times have become even better with these additions. Also, we recently added OccluZir to our list of products. This is a full-zirconia restoration at an attractive price, with more lifelike results.

We are a full service United States laboratory, which means we can fully develop combination cases. I know that dentists have many options and are always looking for the best solution to their casework – at the best price. We can fabricate their high-end cosmetic and full-mouth rehab cases as well as attachments, partials and take care of everything from an immediate denture to a surgical guide to a final hybrid bar. We have a fast turnaround time, with overnight delivery to out-of-state doctors and excellent communication between ourselves and the dentist. We take responsibility for all types of prosthetic cases. After we diagnose and evaluate a case, we can give the best possible solution to the dentist – at a fair and reasonable price. That is my promise!

To learn more about LSK121 Oral Prosthetics, visit www.lsk121.com, e-mail info@lsk121.com or call 888-405-1238.
Dentaltown Magazine
September 2025
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