Material Selection for Single-Unit Crown Anterior Restorations.

Lithium disilicate and layered zirconia appear to be the most prevalent materials used for single-unit anterior crowns. These materials offer the necessary mechanical properties as well as sufficient optical characteristics needed in this type of restoration. There now are also more translucent versions of zirconia available that can be used for monolithic anterior restorations. This article discusses the factors that clinicians must take into account when determining a restorative material for single-unit anterior crowns. Considerations for lithium-disilicate crowns, 4 and 5 mol% yttria-containing (4Y and 5Y) zirconia materials, and layered 3Y zirconia restorations are provided.

Complex Dental Implant Cases: Algorithms, Subjectivity, and Patient Cases Along the Complexity Continuum.

Algorithms for predictable outcomes, or checklists in health care, have been widely supported due to their highly effective outcomes. This article shares "algorithmic roadmaps" to restore single-tooth, partially edentulous, and fully edentulous complex dental implant cases in the patient population. A review of the current literature is presented to provide systematic assessments followed by criteria in a checklist format that allows the surgeon and restorative dentist to determine whether a removable or fixed implant prosthesis is the best patient option. Several cases have been chosen to illustrate the algorithms the authors used to provide an optimized prognosis for surgical/restorative success.

Colorizing titanium-6aluminum-4vanadium alloy using electrochemical anodization: Developing a color chart.

Colorizing titanium alloys by electrochemical anodization is used in dentistry especially for identification purposes. Colorization is the result of distinct voltage applications to specific titanium alloys when placed in an electrolyte. Titanium and titanium alloys differ in their ability to be anodized. As titanium-6aluminum-4vanadium is commonly used as an abutment material, we have developed a specific color reference scale relating color to the voltage applied.

How to Bond Zirconia: The APC Concept.

Zirconia has become one of the most popular materials in dentistry. New high-translucent zirconia ceramics have favorable optical properties and can be applied as monolithic full-contour restorations in various clinical indications for posterior and anterior teeth. However, having reliable cementation protocols is fundamental for clinical success of indirect ceramic dental restorations, including those made from zirconia materials. Resin bonding supports ceramic restorations and is necessary for onlays, laminate veneers, and resinbonded fixed dental prostheses. The APC zirconia-bonding concept is based on decades of research on how to achieve high and long-term durable bond strengths to high-strength ceramics. It includes three practical steps: (A) airparticle abrasion, (P) zirconia primer, and (C) adhesive composite resin. This article discusses the history and development of high-translucent zirconia and explains the necessity for proper cementation. The rationale and science behind a simplified zirconia-bonding concept is explained and illustrated with a clinical case presentation.

Full-Arch Rehabilitation of a Patient With Cyclic Neutropenia.

The purpose of this report is to discuss the treatment of a patient with cyclic neutropenia. This patient presented with flared teeth, thin alveolar bone, and mobile teeth. A staged approach was used to remove her teeth, augment the bone, use immediate fixed provisional to determine the type of final prostheses, and ultimately to use cone-shaped overdenture attachments to retain her final prostheses. The result was rehabilitation of the patient with esthetic full-arch fixed-removable dentures with no adverse sequelae in this patient with this systemic disease.

Orthodontic tooth extrusion to enhance soft tissue implant esthetics.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this report was to review the published data on orthodontic extrusion and make recommendations for its use according to the evidence presented, including the technique for use by clinicians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A MEDLINE search was performed to identify reports in referenced journals in English. These studies were collated and reviewed for clinical and animal data on orthodontic extrusion. In addition, the experiences of our team using orthodontic extrusion was added to the evidence used to make the recommendations. RESULTS: From this background information, orthodontic tooth extrusion is able to move the soft tissues when the sulcular attachment apparatus is intact. Bone formation as the tooth is extruded is dependent on the vector of the movement of the tooth. The rate of tooth extrusion is effected by the bone-tooth attachment. CONCLUSIONS: When used as we have described, extrusion can effectively move the facial gingival margin to allow for esthetic restoration of implants placed in the extruded tooth position.