Quo vadis, esthetic dentistry? Part II: Composite resin overtreatment and social media appeal.

Objectives: This article presents case reports highlighting over-treatments with resin composites, often misconceived as minimally invasive procedures.

Clinical Considerations: Tooth-colored restorative materials, such as ceramics and composites, have found widespread application to correct problems related to tooth color, shape, and alignment. When composite resin is used, these procedures can be done in a very conservative, cost-effective, and timely fashion.

Quo vadis, esthetic dentistry? Ceramic veneers and overtreatment-A cautionary tale.

The increased emphasis on orofacial esthetics, experienced both by dental professionals and the lay public, results in an environment where overtreatment can easily occur. Patients on the one hand feel pressure from esthetic norms that are often unrealistic, while dental professionals are compelled to deliver immediate results many times without considering what is best for the ill-informed patient. This article is an illustrated cautionary tale against overtreatment disguised as esthetic dentistry.

Composite veneers: The direct-indirect technique revisited.

Objective: This article provides an update on the direct-indirect composite veneer technique.

Clinical Considerations: Composite veneers have long been used as a conservative and esthetic treatment option for anterior teeth. While they are generally performed using a direct technique, there has been renewed interest in the direct-indirect composite veneer technique because of its advantages and broad indications for restoration of tooth color and morphology.

The inconspicuous nature of COVID-19 and its impact to dentistry.

To state that the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has broadly and deeply impacted our lives is an understatement. Since it first showed up on our radar in December 2019, the new coronavirus has wreaked havoc on virtually all businesses and industries across the globe. The impact is equally felt in developing, developed, industrialized, rural, rich, and poor countries and communities, irrespective of how well-prepared those countries and communities felt they were 9 months ago.

Effect of surface treatment and cement type on dentin bonding of processed resin composite.

Purpose: To examine the effect of surface treatment and cement type on dentin bonding of processed resin composite restorations.

Methods: Bovine incisors were sectioned to expose mid-dentin, and randomly assigned to four different groups: Group ULT, Lava Ultimate composite blocks were bonded to dentin with RelyX Ultimate; Group ULT-CJ was treated as in Group ULT but CoJet was used to treat the intaglio surface prior to bonding; Group UNC was bonded with RelyX Unicem 2; and Group UNC-CJ was treated as in Group UNC but CoJet was used to treat the intaglio surface. RelyX Unicem 2 was used as a self-adhesive resin cement, while RelyX Ultimate was used as an adhesive resin cement with Scotchbond Universal.

Fracture load of two thicknesses of different zirconia types after fatiguing and thermocycling.

Statement Of Problem: A direct relationship has been reported between yttria concentration and translucency in zirconia restorations. However, increased yttria concentration also increases the cubic phase of the zirconia, which reduces its strength. The effect of increased yttria content on the fracture resistance of zirconia as a function of material thickness after fatigue testing requires evaluation.

Digital smile design and mock-up technique for esthetic treatment planning with porcelain laminate veneers.

The use of digital tools offers a new perspective to daily clinical activities. The digital information serves as a starting point for a wax-up and intraoral mock-up, which is widely reported in literature as an objective and efficient communication tool among dentist, patient, and technician. This case report of a maxillary anterior rehabilitation demonstrates esthetic planning with the digital smile design (DSD) system and a direct mock-up technique.

Esthetic and functional management of an ankylosed central incisor with a conservative restorative approach.

In this case report, we share a conservative and simple restorative management approach for a relatively complex esthetic situation on an adult patient with an ankylosed maxillary central incisor in infra-occlusion. A 37-year-old healthy female patient presented for a consultation with a chief complaint of an unappealing smile. The intraoral exam revealed tooth #8 (FDI 11) was in obvious and significant infra-occlusion due to altered eruption.

CAD/CAM post-and-core using different esthetic materials: Fracture resistance and bond strengths.

Purpose: To evaluate the fracture resistance (FR), and push-out bond strengths (BS) of custom-made CAD/CAM post-and-cores manufactured with different esthetic materials.

Methods: 90 single-rooted extracted teeth were selected, endodontically treated and prepared to receive the posts. The specimens were randomly divided into three equal groups according to the material: hybrid ceramic Vita Enamic (HC); nano-ceramic resin composite Lava Ultimate (RC); and experimental epoxy-resin reinforced by glass-fiber (FG).

Effect of finishing technique on the occurrence and length of microcracks in resin-based materials.

Purpose: To evaluate the presence and length of microcracks in resin-based materials finished with different techniques, using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods: Standardized Class V preparations (3x2x2mm) were made in the facial and lingual surfaces of 20 recently-extracted human third molars. 20 preparations were restored with a resin-based composite material (RBC; Filtek Supreme Ultra) and the other 20 with a resin-modified glass-ionomer material (RMGI; Ketac Nano).

Marginal and Internal Adaptation of Zirconia Crowns: A Comparative Study of Assessment Methods.

Marginal and internal adaptation is critical for the success of indirect restorations. New imaging systems make it possible to evaluate these parameters with precision and non-destructively. This study evaluated the marginal and internal adaptation of zirconia copings fabricated with two different systems using both silicone replica and microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) assessment methods.

Effect of composite type and placement technique on cuspal strain.

Objective: To compare the cuspal strain in Class II restorations made with bulk-fill and conventional composite resins.

Materials And Methods: Fifty extracted maxillary premolars were mounted into phenolic rings and divided into five groups (n = 10). Specimens received standardized MOD preparations.

The quality of fixed prosthodontic impressions: An assessment of crown and bridge impressions received at commercial laboratories.

Background: The authors evaluated and quantified clinically detectable errors commonly seen in impressions sent to commercial laboratories and determined possible relationships between finish line errors and other factors involved.

Methods: The authors visited 3 large and 1 small commercial dental laboratories over a 12-month period. Three calibrated examiners evaluated the impressions.

The Direct-Indirect Technique for Composite Restorations Revisited.

In the direct-indirect composite technique, composite is applied to a nonretentive tooth preparation (eg, a noncarious cervical lesion or a veneer/inlay/onlay preparation) without any bonding agent, sculpted to a primary anatomic form, and light-cured. The partially polymerized restoration is then removed from the preparation and finished and tempered extraorally chairside. The finished inlay is bonded to the preparation using a resin-based luting agent.

Accuracy evaluation of intraoral optical impressions: A clinical study using a reference appliance.

Statement Of Problem: Trueness and precision are used to evaluate the accuracy of intraoral optical impressions. Although the in vivo precision of intraoral optical impressions has been reported, in vivo trueness has not been evaluated because of limitations in the available protocols.

Purpose: The purpose of this clinical study was to compare the accuracy (trueness and precision) of optical and conventional impressions by using a novel study design.

Six-year clinical performance of etch-and-rinse and self-etch adhesives.

Objective: To evaluate the 6-year clinical performance of Xeno IV, Xeno III, and XP Bond adhesives in the restoration of non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs).

Methods: This was a randomized controlled clinical trial where 39 participants met the inclusion/exclusion criteria and were enrolled. Lesions restored were notch-shaped NCCLs.

Effect of Finishing and Polishing on the Surface Roughness of Four Ceramic Materials after Occlusal Adjustment.

Problem: Intraoral occlusal adjustment of ceramic restorations can create a significant increase in surface roughness that can produce wear of the opposing dentition.

Purpose: To compare the surface roughness of glazed and polished monolithic ceramics with the surface roughness produced by different intraoral polishing systems on adjusted monolithic ceramics.

Materials And Methods: Milled ceramic discs (10 mm diameter × 2 mm thickness) were manufactured and distributed according to the following groups (n = 10): BruxZir (glazed and polished), Zenostar (glazed and polished), IPS Empress CAD, and IPS e.

A Predictive Model for Root Caries Incidence.

This study aimed to find the set of risk indicators best able to predict root caries (RC) incidence in caries-active adults utilizing data from the Xylitol for Adult Caries Trial (X-ACT). Five logistic regression models were compared with respect to their predictive performance for incident RC using data from placebo-control participants with exposed root surfaces at baseline and from two study centers with ancillary data collection (n = 155). Prediction performance was assessed from baseline variables and after including ancillary variables [smoking, diet, use of removable partial dentures (RPD), toothbrush use, income, education, and dental insurance].

Optical properties and light irradiance of monolithic zirconia at variable thicknesses.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to: (1) estimate the effect of polishing on the surface gloss of monolithic zirconia, (2) measure and compare the translucency of monolithic zirconia at variable thicknesses, and (3) determine the effect of zirconia thickness on irradiance and total irradiant energy.

Methods: Four monolithic partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ) brands; Prettau® (PRT, Zirkonzahn), Bruxzir® (BRX, Glidewell), Zenostar® (ZEN, Wieland), Katana® (KAT, Noritake), and one fully stabilized zirconia (FSZ); Prettau Anterior® (PRTA, Zirkonzahn) were used to fabricate specimens (n=5/subgroup) with different thicknesses (0.5, 0.

Effect of Finishing Techniques on the Marginal Integrity of Resin-Based Composite and Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Restoration.

Unlabelled: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the marginal integrity of resin-based composite (RBC and resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) restorations as a function of finishing technique and location of the tooth. Forty extracted third molars were assigned to four groups (N = 10) according to finishing instruments (aluminum oxide discs, fluted carbides, fine diamonds, and coarse diamond). Each specimen received standardized Class V preparations on the facial and lingual surfaces with occlusal margins on enamel and gingival margins on dentin.

Degree of conversion of dual-polymerizing cements light polymerized through monolithic zirconia of different thicknesses and types.

Statement Of Problem: Monolithic zirconia restorations are increasingly common. Dual-polymerizing cements have been advocated for cementation. The opacious nature of zirconia restoration can attenuate light, compromising optimal resin polymerization and eventually restoration debonding.

Remineralization effect of CPP-ACP and fluoride for white spot lesions in vitro.

Objectives: This in vitro study compared the remineralization effect on white spot lesions of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate crème, or CPP-ACP (MI Paste™), 1.1% NaF dentifrice containing 5000ppm of fluoride (ControlRX™), or CPP-ACP crème with 900ppm of fluoride (MI Paste Plus™) with that of a control.

Methods: Artificial white spot lesions were created on smooth enamel surfaces of sound molars using a previously reported demineralization model.

Three-year clinical evaluation of a silorane composite resin.

Statement Of Problem: Composite resins are still outperformed by amalgams in the clinical practice with secondary caries and fractures being their most common failures. A material that suffers less polymerization shrinkage might improve the clinical performance of composite resins.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical performance of a low-shrink silorane-based composite resin (Filtek LS Low Shrink Posterior Restorative, 3M ESPE, St.