Restoratively guided orthodontic treatment: The pre-orthodontic bonding concept.

OBJECTIVE: Communication between the orthodontist and the restorative dentist has always been difficult due to the inability of the orthodontist to achieve the desired orthodontic goals with just words in a referral note. CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS: A better method of communication is for the restorative dentist to create the ideal tooth anatomy either before or during orthodontic treatment to direct the orthodontic tooth movement. CONCLUSION: It is the purpose of this article to present a technique, which makes the pre-restorative orthodontic treatment both more accurate and more efficient. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: It is very difficult for the orthodontist to move teeth into their correct positions when the teeth are anatomically incorrect due to attrition/erosion or due to developmental malformation. When the restorative dentist makes the teeth anatomically correct with either pre-orthodontic or intermediate orthodontic bonding, the orthodontist has the benefit of ideal tooth anatomy to finalize the tooth positions. This then allows the restorative dentist to create final restorations, which are ideal, both functionally and esthetically.

Treatment Options for the Replacement of the Missing Maxillary Lateral Incisor.

The replacement of the missing maxillary lateral incisor continues to be a challenge for the interdisciplinary dental treatment team. Over the past two decades the dental implant has become a primary method of replacement for this tooth. However, while implants offer numerous benefits, some significant potential problems are associated with implant treatment, including the possible need for tissue grafting, the long-term stability of bone and soft tissue overlying the facial surface of the implant, as well as the continued growth of alveolar bone and eruption of teeth adjacent to the implant. This article discusses various treatment options for the replacement of the missing maxillary lateral incisor with an emphasis on the bonded zirconia bridge.