On 22 and 23 February 2025, the technicians of Khai Nguyen Dental Lab took part in an intensive workshop on monolithic staining using the Matisse method, held at the laboratory.
Speaker
DT. Ziyang Ke has delivered more than a hundred training courses worldwide, in person and online, and specialises in esthetic ceramic restorations. A graduate of Taipei Medical University, he has worked at laboratories including Washington Dental Clinic and A Plus 3D, and is currently CEO of Hereisalab.
Programme
- Understanding and practising shade capture with OptiShade.
- Applying Matisse technology to shade analysis and stain formulation.
- Combining a zirconia framework, firing schedule and external staining to reach a natural esthetic effect.
- Techniques for building tooth form with the depth and colour reflection of a natural tooth.
Why monolithic staining deserves a dedicated workshop
Monolithic restorations carry no external layering, so everything the eye reads — depth, chroma gradient, incisal translucency — has to be produced by staining and firing on a body that is already fully formed. There is no ceramic build-up in which to correct a misjudged shade. That makes shade capture at the start and stain sequencing during firing the two decisive steps, which is exactly what the Matisse method structures.
Related reading: dental photography for the laboratory, which covers the shade images a laboratory needs before any of this begins.
Results after two days
According to our recap posts, the hands-on part focused on layering effects that reproduce a natural single central incisor with the Matisse method, and the workshop ended with fifteen finished units made by our technicians, in which shade, translucency and light reflection were reconstructed from natural teeth. We also thanked the dentists who agreed to move delivery dates so that our technicians could attend the full course.
Why a single central incisor is the hard test
Copying a single central incisor is always a challenge for technicians. The restoration sits directly beside its natural counterpart, so any difference in internal effects, translucency or shade is visible at a glance. That is why the programme started from shade capture with OptiShade: the outcome of a single anterior unit depends heavily on how much accurate shade information reaches the lab.
Related reading for dentists
- A single e.max crown between natural teeth, with Dr Mai Tran: a single anterior case in practice.
- Bleach shades 0M2, 1M1, 1M2 and BL: choosing the shade, stain technique and how to brief the lab.
- Glazing vs polishing ceramic restorations: what differs and when to use which.
- A ten-unit feldspathic case: building enamel-like translucency.
- Masking a dark A4 preparation to a bright 1M1: three things the dentist can prepare.
Other training activities of our technical team are collected on the training and professional exchange 2025–2026 page.
Source: Khai Nguyen Dental Lab Facebook page, February 2025.
Written for dentists and technicians. Khai Nguyen Dental Lab manufactures to clinical prescription only and does not sell directly to patients.
