It is important to understand the variables involved in fabricating esthetic provisional restorations, and some of the most important factors to consider are the amount of tooth preparation involved and the degree of mechanical retention and resistance form present.

Today a variety of cements and adhesive materials are available, making selection and use of cementation and adhesive materials a potentially confusing or challenging process. Using a cohesive luting system appropriate for all types of restorations..

Together, composites, matrix systems and curing lights allow clinicians to give patients the durable, high-quality restorations they need, but there are multiple variables that can affect the longevity of the restoration.

Conservative approach maintains tooth structure while improving dentofacial esthetics.

Achieving natural-looking restorations requires precise composite-tooth shade matching, especially in the anterior esthetic zone. This article presents a systematic approach to color matching, including a basic overview of color science to guide clinicians. Through objective analysis of composites from different manufacturers and varying application thicknesses, the study demonstrates

Dr. Amanda Seay and Dr. Adamo Notarantonio recently explored a modern approach that’s transforming restorative and esthetic dentistry. Injection molding—a technique adapted from industrial processes—is gaining attention for its ability to deliver predictable, efficient, and highly esthetic restorations.

Advancements in digital technology offer a growing array of tools for enhancing team communication in restorative dentistry, utilizing high-quality photographs, presentation software, and video capture to analyze esthetic relationships. This article showcases the effective utilization of these digital tools to improve communication between dentists and laboratories in challenging esthetic cases, particularly highlighting the precision and ease of video capture in conveying li

Restoring a worn dentition presents challenges for the restorative dentist, requiring decisions on reconstructing lost tooth structure, addressing underlying risk factors, and meeting treatment goals while adhering to the principles of minimal dentistry. A systematic approach, considering periodontal, biomechanical, functional, and dentofacial risks, is essential before proposing treatment. In this case, esthetic concerns were successfully addressed using minimal to no-prepar

Patients turn to us for professional advice regarding treatment that aligns with their best interests. As dental professionals, our role is to of-fer patients solutions that meet their esthetic goals while ensuring that the treatment provided does not pose additional risks. Challenges can arise when patients are...

In a case involving a patient with high esthetic demands who wanted to keep treatment conservative, minimal direct bonding was used to enhance anterior esthetics while creating acceptable function. Primary treatment goals in the case, in which the patient was diagnosed with a constricted chewing pattern, were to improve esthetics by lengthening the maxillary anterior teeth and to stop continued loss of anterior tooth structure.

At my general dentistry practice in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, we see many patients during the course of a day. I have a team of dentists, and together, we offer a variety of services to our clientele. As clinicians, we all have our own techniques and preferences for how we like to do things as well as different materials that we prefer to use for various clinical situations. A big part of what I offer as a service is composite artistry, so it is important for me to have

To consistently achieve excellent functional, esthetic, and biologic outcomes, the design of dental restorations should occur very early during treatment planning. When more data is shared between the clinician and the laboratory, a case can proceed more smoothly as it moves through preparation and provisionalization to the final restorations. Historically, laboratory technicians have selected the tooth shapes and arrangement based on guidelines provided by dentists through wr

Ivoclar Vivadent’s bluephase® line of curing lights represents a balanced combination of proven dentistry standards and new technology. Featuring a specially developed polywave® light-emitting diode (LED), bluephase curing lights achieve an optimal broadband range from 385 nm to 515 nm—similar to the spectrum of halogen lights, which serve as the benchmark for many clinicians.

When we say that “a picture is worth a thousand words,” we mean that a visual presentation conveys information more effectively than words can alone. Many people are more responsive to visual cues, which can elicit a myriad of feelings, such as joy, sadness, and curiosity. There are many important clinical reasons to utilize digital photography in our dental practices, but it is the emotional impact of those photographs that guides the decision-making process for the people w

Whether or not digital tools are used in treatment, the critical foundations of quality clinical practice remain the same. Dentists must have the experience and wisdom to determine the correct diagnosis and appropriate clinical endpoint.

For many clinicians, a strong, flowable composite was not available when they first started practicing. “When we were initially using flowable composites, I was trying to use as little as possible on my restorations.” Amanda Seay, DDS. “So, switching over to using it as the primary part of my restorations took some modification of my technique.”

Excellence in esthetic composite placement is an important skill for dentists to develop. During the years that I have been lecturing, composite artistry has become a prime focus of dentistry. The belief that placing composite restorations is somehow a less-than-ideal treatment is evident in an audience’s eye rolls or smirks.