Immediate implant placement with soft tissue grafting and an ultra-translucent zirconia crown. Replacement of a primary tooth in the esthetic zone

OBJECTIVES: The present case report describes the atraumatic extraction of a primary maxillary right canine followed by immediate implant placement with a customized zirconia abutment and monolithic ultra-translucent zirconia (5Y-PSZ) crown. CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS: A 31-year-old patient presented to the clinic with the primary concern of mobility and gingival inflammation around the maxillary right canine. After clinical evaluation, the tooth was found to be a primary retained tooth that presented grade 3 mobility and gingival inflammation. Atraumatic tooth extraction was performed, followed by immediate implant placement of a screw-retained provisional restoration with the use of a surgical guide. The soft tissue was contoured until ideal architecture was obtained. The final restoration included a customized zirconia and titanium abutment and a characterized implant-supported monolithic 5Y-PSZ crown. CONCLUSIONS: Well-planned surgical and restorative procedures including atraumatic extraction, 3D implant planning for surgical guide fabrication, implant placement, and a customized zirconia abutment with a monolithic 5Y-PSZ crown can achieve high esthetic results in replacing a primary tooth in the esthetic zone.

Tooth-reduction 3D-printed guides for facilitating the provision of ultrathin laminate veneers.

Tooth-reduction guides offer a more controlled and conservative tooth preparation. Many types of tooth-reduction guides are available such as those with horizontal or vertical reduction grooves. A transparent cross-shaped tooth-reduction guide allows the clinician to make vertical and horizontal depth grooves to evaluate tooth reduction in all directions. The reference grooves on the guide enable the clinician to use a periodontal probe to measure the reduction accurately, and the transparent material provides a clear view of the entire tooth. Controlled tooth reduction offers a more conservative approach that is key for long-term bonded ceramic restorations. The multiaxial rigid transparent tooth-reduction guide could facilitate the provision of ultrathin handcrafted porcelain veneers to predictably fulfill patients' esthetic demands while preserving more tooth structure. The use of technically sound and artistically documented photographic evidence further underscores the effectiveness of this approach, particularly when intra-enamel preparations and adhesive luting under rubber dam isolation are employed. The present article describes a novel 3D-printed guide design that allows the clinician to perform the reduction grooves and evaluate the preparation in the horizontal and vertical directions within the same guide.

Combination of minimal- and non-preparation techniques with ceramic veneers for managing esthetic deficiencies.

Non-preparation (non-prep) ceramic veneers are a convenient and conservative treatment option, but controversy exists about their predictability. Concerns remain about possible overcontouring, poor-quality margins, and early esthetic failure. The present clinical report describes the combination of minimally invasive and non-prep ceramic laminate veneers in the esthetic zone with a 6-year follow-up to replace stained composite resin veneers on both maxillary central incisors. Composite resin veneers on the maxillary central incisors were replaced with ceramic veneers, and a non-prep ceramic veneer was placed on the maxillary right lateral incisor. A diagnostic additive wax-up was done, followed by a mock-up guide to conservatively prepare both maxillary central incisors. The three feldspathic porcelain veneer restorations were cemented under rubber dam isolation. The 6-year follow-up showed that stained composite resin veneers can successfully be replaced with minimally invasive and non-prep ceramic veneers to meet the patient's esthetic wishes. Overall, well-planned and well-executed restorative procedures combining minimal preparation and non-prep for ceramic laminate veneers can achieve esthetically pleasing outcomes and maximize tooth structure preservation in the maxillary anterior region.

An Innovative 3D Printed Tooth Reduction Guide for Precise Dental Ceramic Veneers.

Tooth reduction guides allow clinicians to obtain the ideal space required for ceramic restorations. This case report describes a novel design (CAD) for an additive computer-aided manufactured (a-CAM) tooth reduction guide with channels that permitted access for the preparation and evaluation of the reduction with the same guide. The guide features innovative vertical and horizontal channels that permit comprehensive access for preparation and evaluation of the reduction with a periodontal probe, ensuring uniform tooth reduction and avoiding overpreparation. This approach was successfully applied to a female patient with non-carious lesions and white spot lesions, resulting in minimally invasive tooth preparations and hand-crafted laminate veneer restorations that met the patient's aesthetic demands while preserving tooth structure. Compared to traditional silicone reduction guides, this novel design offers greater flexibility, enabling clinicians to evaluate tooth reduction in all directions and providing a more comprehensive assessment. Overall, this 3D printed tooth reduction guide represents a significant advancement in dental restoration technology, offering clinicians a useful tool for achieving optimal outcomes with minimal tooth reduction. Future work is warranted to compare tooth reductions and preparation time for this guide to other 3D printed guides.

Diagnostic Mock-Up as a Surgical Reduction Guide for Crown Lengthening: Technique Description and Case Report.

Background and Objectives: The report describes a technique using a diagnostic mock-up as a crown-lengthening surgical guide to improve the gingival architecture. Materials and Methods: The patient's primary concern was improving her smile due to her "gummy smile" and short clinical crowns. After clinical evaluation, surgical crown lengthening accompanied by maxillary central full-coverage single-unit prostheses and lateral incisor veneers was recommended. The diagnostic mock-up was placed in the patient's maxillary anterior region and used as a soft tissue reduction guide for the gingivectomy. Once the planned gingival architecture was achieved, a flap was reflected to proceed with ostectomy in order to obtain an appropriate alveolar bone crest level using the overlay. After six months, all-ceramic crowns and porcelain veneers were provided as permanent restorations. Results: A diagnostic mock-up fabricated with a putty guide directly from the diagnostic wax-up can be an adequate surgical guide for crown-lengthening procedures. The diagnostic wax-up was used to fabricate the diagnostic mock-up. These results suggested that it can be used as a crown-lengthening surgical guide to modify the gingival architecture. Several advantages of the overlay used in the aesthetic complex case include: (1) providing a preview of potential restorative outcomes, (2) allowing for the appropriate positioning of gingival margins and the desired alveolar bone crest level for the crown-lengthening procedure, and (3) serving as a provisional restoration after surgery. Conclusions: The use of a diagnostic mock-up, which was based on a diagnostic wax-up, as the surgical guide resulted in successful crown lengthening and provisional restorations. Thus, a diagnostic overlay can be a viable option as a surgical guide for crown lengthening.

Additive Wax-Up and Diagnostic Mockup As Driving Tools for Minimally Invasive Veneer Preparations.

This report describes the importance of and outlines steps for additive wax-up and diagnostic mockup for anterior teeth as diagnostic and driving tools for non-prep and minimally invasive veneer preparations. A 35-year-old male presented to the clinic with the chief complaint of spaces between his front teeth. Diagnostic additive wax-up provided the possibility of offering minimally invasive preparations, and the use of a diagnostic intraoral mockup fulfilled the patient's esthetic demands for treatment approval. Veneer preparations over the diagnostic mockup were provided as they are minimally invasive. Ceramic veneers were hand-crafted following the previous diagnostic wax-up, and restorations were bonded under rubber dam isolation. Overall, additive wax-up provides information needed to know if minimally invasive veneer preparations are possible, and the diagnostic mockup displays a physical, tentative outcome for the patient's evaluation before irreversible tooth preparations. These simple, but effective, techniques can drive the diagnosis and prognosis of minimally invasive veneer restorations.

Soft Tissue Management on Pontic and Implant Sites Before Implants Insertion.

Complex implant therapy can include methods requiring several phases of treatment, and they are usually referred to as one-stage and two-stage approaches. The reasons for the staged approach include the extraction of non-restorable teeth. Such a treatment approach may offer a fixed provisional prosthesis during implant osseointegration that enables the patient to avoid removable prostheses. However, this case aims to demonstrate how to manage the soft tissue in the pontic region prior to immediate implant placement. A 45- years old female patient presented with non-restorable teeth from the maxillary right lateral incisor to the left lateral incisor were removed, followed by socket preservation and fixed provisional restoration from right maxillary canine to left canine. Soft tissue was contoured to achieve ovate shape by first with a tooth-supported provisional restoration from the maxillary left canine to the right canine and then by re-shaping with carbide and diamond burs; after the tissue obtained the desired architecture, implants were inserted on sites of the maxillary right lateral incisor and left central lateral incisor without immediate loading, but the same provisional fixed restoration maintained the previously contour tissue. Once implant osseointegration was achieved, screw-retained provisional restoration was placed, followed by the definitive fixed implant restoration. Because the soft tissue was previously contoured, the screw-retained implant provisional restorations maintained the tissue architecture. These initial contouring procedures provided a more predictable outcome for the final tissue contour after implants were inserted. The final re-shaping with the implant screw-retained provisional restorations was minimum, and prostheses followed the previously provided tissue architecture. Before the endosteal implants are inserted, soft-tissue contouring prior to implant placement may provide a more predictable outcome of the final tissue architecture for pontic and implant areas. The patient and clinician can evaluate the success and limitations of tissue contouring prior to implant placement. It may also shorten the time required for tissue contouring with provisional implant restorations.

Novel translucent monolithic zirconia fixed restorations in the esthetic zone.

Novel translucent monolithic zirconia has improved optical properties, and it may fulfill patient's esthetic demands and overcome the chipping risk of bilayer metal-ceramic restorations. New zirconia's microstructures allow us to mimic natural teeth.

Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) Complete Dentures for Atrophic Alveolar Ridges: Workflow Combining Conventional and Novel Techniques.

Extreme residual ridge resorption is a challenging clinical situation for the fabrication of complete dental prostheses. Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) complete dentures have been shown to have superior fit and material strength to conventionally fabricated dentures, but no clinical protocols have been described for cases of extreme residual ridge resorption. This report describes a workflow combining conventional and novel techniques for CAD/CAM complete dentures fabrication for atrophic alveolar ridges and demonstrates that a CAD/CAM workflow is an effective tool for solving this complex situation.

A customized metal guide for controllable modification of anterior teeth contour prior to minimally invasive preparation.

OBJECTIVE: Optimal tooth reduction is a key requirement for aesthetics, function, and the longevity of fixed restorations. Research has demonstrated that controlled and conservative tooth preparation is crucial for the long-term success of adhesive restorations. Different techniques of fabricating reduction guides have been previously reported in literature. The present technical note describes the fabrication technique and clinical application of a customized metal preparation reduction guide. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Patient presented with tilted maxillary left central incisor. The flared-out part of the tooth was modified prior to veneer restoration preparation. Resin pattern reduction guide was fabricated on the diagnostic cast with a window on the tilted mesial portion of the tooth. After intraoral evaluation, resin pattern guide was casted. Metal reduction guide was place intraorally and reduction was provided on the exposed surface of the tooth. After the removal of the tilted portion, a harmonious arch form allowed the clinician to provide adequate evaluation and preparation for veneer restorations. RESULTS: The device demonstrated good practical value, allowing for selective and controlled reduction of tooth structure, and definitive protection of adjacent tooth surfaces from iatrogenic damage. The clinical outcome successfully addressed the patient's restorative and aesthetic needs, and the veneer was stable 2 years postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Use of a metal guide assists clinicians to provide a more predictable reduction of a desired tooth surface, while decreasing the risk of compromising the other/adjacent tooth surfaces.

Rubber Dam Isolation for Bonding Ceramic Veneers: A Five-Year Post-Insertion Clinical Report.

It has been well-documented that uncontaminated ground enamel provides the most predictable substrate for the bonding of ceramic veneers, and thus conservative tooth preparation with complete isolation using a rubber dam is key to the long-term success of the restorations presented with five years of follow-up. Rubber dam isolation provides several advantages to the clinician, such as preventing contamination of the working field by saliva, blood, and sulcular fluids, and improving direct visibility. However, it may be a challenge to the younger clinician to properly isolate teeth prior to bonding ceramic veneer. The present case report demonstrated the sequence and some clinical tips for a case in which the rubber dam is placed from a second premolar to the opposite second premolar and held with clamps, the rubber dam is gently invaginated into the sulcus, and clamps are selected and placed on each tooth to create an ideal situation for the adhesion of the ceramic veneer. This step-by-step sequence may help the younger clinician in understanding how to gently manage soft tissue in order to properly provide complete isolation with rubber dam for future bonding of ceramic veneers. Following these methods, the clinician can achieve complete isolation, invaginate the rubber dam in the sulcus without causing tissues to bleed, and reduce the time needed for bonding procedures.

Combining a single implant and a veneer restoration in the esthetic zone.

OBJECTIVE: The combination of partial edentulism and a worn anterior tooth in the esthetic zone can be a challenge for the dentist. This clinical situation requires extensive knowledge of soft and hard tissue management, surgical planning and execution for implant therapy, and conservative tooth preparation with ideal bonding protocols for the tooth-supported prosthesis. Moreover, an optimal selection of the final restorative materials is imperative to manage occlusal forces and fulfill the patient's esthetic demands. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patient presented with partial edentulism on site 11, a worn incisal edge, and facial defects on tooth 21. Minimally invasive implant therapy for site 11 was performed with a papilla-sparing flap design that only included the edentulous site, and the soft tissue contouring was started for an immediate provisional restoration. A suturing technique was executed that aimed at maintaining an interproximal papilla. Conservative veneer preparation was performed on tooth 21 in order to bond the restoration to the enamel structure. Final restorations included a custom abutment with a lithium disilicate fused to zirconia crown for the implant on site 11 and a lithium disilicate veneer on tooth 21. CONCLUSIONS: A well-planned single implant and a ceramic veneer restoration was able to fulfill the patient's esthetic expectations. The selection of materials for the final restoration was crucial to manage the occlusal forces and to mimic the shade and shape of the adjacent teeth.

Minimally invasive technique for non-vital tooth bleaching using traditional Japanese paper.

The purpose of this case report is to describe a minimally invasive technique for non-vital tooth bleaching using traditional Japanese paper, known as washi. Non-vital tooth bleaching with a mixture of sodium perborate and 30% hydrogen peroxide rolled in Japanese paper for a traumatically injured tooth, and in-office vital-tooth bleaching for the upper front six teeth and first premolars, were performed. Five-year follow-up showed satisfactory stability in the bleaching effects and did not show any problems in the traumatically injured tooth. The use of Japanese paper for non-vital tooth bleaching may minimize damage to discolored non-vital teeth.

Chair-side CAD/CAM fabrication of a single-retainer resin bonded fixed dental prosthesis: a case report.

This clinical report describes designing and fabricating a single-retainer resin-bonded fixed dental prosthesis with a chair-side computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing system. The whole procedure, from tooth extraction to final placement of the prosthesis, was completed in one day, and a single clinic visit. No clinical complications were found at the 2-year follow-up after placement of the restoration, and satisfactory functional and esthetic results were achieved.

Comparison of occlusal wear between bulk-fill and conventional flowable resin composites.

PURPOSE: To investigate the occlusal wear of bulk-fill and conventional flowable resin composites. METHODS: Four bulk-fill flowable resin composites: (1) Filtek Bulk Fill Flowable Restorative (FB); (2) G-ænial Bulk Injectable (GB); (3) SDR Flow+ (SD); and (4) Tetric EvoFlow Bulk Fill (TB), and four conventional flowable resin composites: (1) Clearfil Majesty IC (CM); (2) Filtek Supreme Ultra Flow (FF); (3) G-ænial Universal Flow (GF); and (4) Herculite XRV Ultra Flow (HF) were evaluated. Localized wear was simulated using 400,000 cycles in a Leinfelder-Suzuki (Alabama) device with a stainless-steel ball bearing antagonist. Volume loss and maximum depth of wear facets were measured using a Proscan 2100 noncontact profilometer in conjunction with analyzing software. Scanning electron microscopy observations were also conducted on the wear specimens. RESULTS: Simulated occlusal wear was significantly different (P< 0.05) among the materials tested. FF, GB and GF showed significantly less wear than the other tested resin composites. The rank order of volume loss and maximum depth was GF-GB-FF-FB-CM-HF-TB-SD. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Bulk-fill flowable resin composites showed a much wider range of wear properties than conventional flowable resin composites. Some composites of each type may be suitable for use in occlusal contact areas of posterior restorations, but care must be taken when selecting such a resin.

Digitally Fabricated Immediate Complete Dentures: Case Reports of Milled and Printed Dentures.

Milling complete dentures is becoming a popular option for clinicians because subtractive technology can make the fabrication of high-quality dentures faster and easier. Additive technology is one of the newest techniques for making complete dentures, and its primary advantage is that a printer is more financially accessible than a milling machine. Printing and milling technologies as methods for denture fabrication have similar steps and time frames for their processes. The production of immediate complete dentures also follows similar procedures for both systems. The aim of this article is to compare subtractive and additive technologies for the manufacture of immediate complete dentures and to present two case reports.

Conservative Ultrathin Veneer Restorations with Minimal Reduction: A 5-year Follow-up Report.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: This case report shows how a feldspathic veneer with diagnostic wax-ups, subsequent mock-up, and reduction guides can lead to good patient esthetics and reports a 5-year follow-up. BACKGROUND: Conservative tooth preparation is important for the long-term success of adhesive dentistry as it has been shown that bonding to enamel is more predictable in obtaining better long-term success than dentin. To preserve enamel for optimal bonding, diagnostic wax-ups and the subsequent mock-up are the first tools in a restorative dentist's arsenal to find and address differences between current and ideal tooth proportions and also help toward an overall conservative approach. Reduction guides are recommended in order to provide adequate tooth reduction and prevent over-reduction. CASE DESCRIPTION: This case report shows a 5-year follow-up of feldspathic veneer restorations for a patient with excessive space among teeth, defective composite restorations on facial and incisal surfaces, and worn teeth. Veneers were delivered with conservative tooth preparation combining different tooth reduction guides. CONCLUSION: This case report highlights the added benefits of tooth reduction guides and diagnostic wax-ups and the subsequent mock-up for long-term patient satisfaction. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Conservative tooth preparation, reduction guides, and wax-ups may increase the life span of veneer restorations and demonstrate good esthetics at 5 years.

Wear resistance of indirect composite resins used for provisional restorations supported by implants.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate simulated localized and generalized wear of indirect composite resins used for implant supported provisional restorations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study investigated ten indirect composite resins. Two kinds of wear were simulated by 400,000 cycles in a Leinfelder-Suzuki (Alabama) machine. Localized wear was simulated with a stainless-steel ball bearing antagonist and generalized with a flat-ended stainless-steel cylinder antagonist. The tests were carried out in water slurry of polymethyl methacrylate beads. Wear was measured using a Proscan 2100 noncontact profilometer in conjunction with Proscan and AnSur 3D software. RESULTS: Both localized and generalized wear were significantly different (P<.05) among the indirect composite resins. SR Nexco and Gradia Plus showed significantly less wear than the other indirect composite resins. The rank order of wear was same in both types of wear simulation. CONCLUSION: Indirect composite resins are recommended when a provisional implant-supported restoration is required to function in place over a long period. Although only some indirect composite resins showed similar wear resistance to CAD/CAM composite resins, the wear resistance of all the indirect composite resins was higher than that of bis-acryl base provisional and polymethyl methacrylate resins.