Prototyping of increased vertical dimension of occlusion using an existing removable partial denture and composite resin: a case report.

Full-mouth rehabilitation can be challenging due to the complexity of restoring the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) and replacing missing teeth. In partially edentulous patients, the concept of a bonded composite resin prototype for increasing the VDO has previously been applied through the use of an overlay removable partial denture (RPD) with acrylic resin covering the existing dentition. Unfortunately, this type of prosthesis does not always accurately model the function and phonetics intended for the definitive prostheses, and the esthetic result often is less than ideal. It would be advantageous if direct bonding could be used with the patient's existing RPD to model the increased VDO, but this approach has not been reported in the literature. This case report describes the direct bonding of an existing RPD to create a prototype for increased VDO in a partially edentulous patient with a skeletal Class II malocclusion. The successful outcome has been maintained for more than 1 year.

Subperiosteal implant overdenture fabrication using existing custom Dolder bar attachments.

Endosseous root-form implants are the most popular type of implant used today. However, patients may present with subperiosteal implants that need treatment with a removable prosthesis. This case report describes the fabrication of a new set of overdentures for 30-year-old subperiosteal implants using the patient's current dentures as a guide to establish a proper vertical dimension of occlusion and occlusal scheme. In addition, the patient's older set of dentures was used as the record bases in an effort to reuse the existing custom Dolder bar attachments. Esthetics and lip support were enhanced by selecting new teeth and adjusting the tooth positions. The patient was pleased with the esthetic and functional results of the new overdentures.

Esthetic management of white spot lesions by using minimal intervention techniques of bleaching and resin infiltration: A clinical report.

Dental fluorosis and hypocalcification manifest as white spot lesions and/or brown discolorations. With dental fluorosis, mottled layers in enamel can also be present depending on severity. Treatment options have varied in such situations, depending on severity, and can range from conservative to more invasive. This clinical report focuses on a combination of bleaching and resin infiltration as one of the more conservative treatment options.

Treatment and esthetic management of traumatized maxillary central incisors with endodontic therapy and the inside/outside bleaching technique: A clinical report.

Traumatic dental injuries most commonly occur to the maxillary central incisors, occasionally resulting in tooth discoloration and prompting affected patients to seek dental treatment. Other negative sequelae of trauma to teeth include root resorption that can complicate definitive treatment planning to manage discoloration. This article describes the conservative esthetic management of discolored traumatized teeth through the inside/outside bleaching technique after endodontic therapy for external inflammatory root resorption.

A multidisciplinary approach to the management of a maxillary midline diastema: A clinical report.

A maxillary midline diastema (MMD) is a common complaint of dental patients. An MMD can be closed with treatment from different disciplines, including operative dentistry and orthodontics. A comprehensive smile analysis is also a necessity before beginning treatment. This article highlights the closure of a 3-mm MMD by using a combination of orthodontics and direct composite resin restorations.

Minimally invasive esthetic improvement in a patient with dental fluorosis by using microabrasion and bleaching: A clinical report.

Dental fluorosis is a condition that produces unesthetic coloration of enamel because of excessive fluoride ingestion during enamel formation. Its appearance can range in severity from mildly white and opaque to dark brown and can lead a patient to seek dental treatment. Historically, these lesions have been masked, either with direct or indirect restorations, but more conservative treatment options are now available, including the combination of microabrasion and bleaching. This clinical report describes the use of these treatment options to address a young patient's dental fluorosis.

Restoration of a large class IV fracture using direct composite resin: A clinical report.

Restoration of anterior tooth fractures is a common dental procedure. Both direct and indirect options are clinically acceptable to repair fractured teeth. For a large class IV fracture, treatment planning is time consuming, and the artistic skills necessary to achieve optimal results can be daunting. This clinical report describes a step-by-step protocol for achieving highly esthetic direct anterior restorations.

Combination of centripetal and successive layering techniques for a stress-reduced posterior direct composite restoration.

Due to the increased predictability of current bonding procedures and the improved properties of today's composite materials, large Class II and cuspal build-up direct composite resin restorations are routinely performed. Biological considerations and the stress associated with polymerization shrinkage are key factors that need to be considered during the treatment planning phase. This article demonstrates a combination of concepts and techniques to reduce the stress associated with polymerization shrinkage in large restorations, thus potentially improving the longevity of the restoration.

Esthetic anterior composite resin restorations using a single shade: Step-by-step technique.

Children and young adults often present to a dental practice after accidents that affect their anterior teeth. In many situations, only 1 tooth is affected by the trauma, and choosing the right treatment option can be complex. Esthetic restoration of the maxillary anterior dentition can be accomplished by using direct or indirect techniques. Direct resin composite restoration can be characterized as a life-like definitive restoration and is a predictable, conservative, and reliable chairside procedure. This article describes a straightforward protocol used to restore a patient's appearance with a single-shade composite resin after a Class IV fracture received during a sporting event.

Resin Bonding of a Lithium-Disilicate Crown Using a Ligated Rubber Dam: A 2-Year Case Report.

Enduring glass-ceramic restorations greatly depend on the quality of adhesion of the crown to enamel and dentin. Proper isolation is vital to the success of bonded ceramic restorations. The rubber dam has long been considered the primary method of preventing contamination of the operating field, a crucial requisite for adhesion. However, many dentists do not use rubber dam isolation due to its penchant for slowing down procedures. The authors present a case report that describes a technique for the indirect bonding of a ceramic restoration to a maxillary first molar using rubber dam isolation in conjunction with a floss ligature,a method that is aimed at optimizing operator effectiveness and efficiency.

Modified Occlusal Rim Design and Use of Phonetics to Determine Anterior Tooth Position and Vertical Dimension: A Clinical Report.

Prosthetic rehabilitation of edentulous patients can sometimes pose many clinical challenges for the clinician. The importance of correct vertical and horizontal positioning of the anterior teeth so that the completed denture is esthetically pleasing while being functionally correct has been well documented in the literature. Different techniques have been proposed whereby a conventional occlusal rim is used. The wax-rim thickness of this design can interfere with the neutral zone, making normal phonetics difficult. In this report, a completely edentulous patient received treatment using a modified occlusal rim so that phonetics could be used to determine the anterior tooth position and vertical dimension, following a strict adherence to a clinical protocol. The methodology involved the use of heat-processed resin record bases and a thin segment of baseplate wax that mimics anterior teeth. This approach resulted in a more natural feeling for the patient and provided the clinician the necessary information for the laboratory, which was easily communicated.