Translucency of value resin composites used to replace enamel in stratified composite restoration techniques.

BACKGROUND: The translucency of enamel shade is a crucial property that affects the color of a layered restoration. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the translucency of high-, medium-, and low-value resin composites (4 Seasons, Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein) used to replace enamel in stratified composite restoration techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The color specimens with 12 mm in diameter and various thicknesses (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 mm) were measured after polymerization on a reflection spectrophotometer over white and black backgrounds to calculate the translucency parameter (TP). The statistical analysis of TP was accomplished using two-way analysis of variance (p < 0.05). Significant differences were revealed by the Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference post hoc test. RESULTS: Translucency of the value composite resins was influenced by the value and thickness. Color of value resin composites was dependent on the background contrast at the evaluated thicknesses. CONCLUSIONS: High-value composite resins were more translucent than medium-value composites, which were more translucent than low-value composites. The translucency decreased as the thickness of the specimens increased. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The results suggest that special attention should be paid to the thickness of the increment of value composite resins when reproducing translucency of natural tooth enamel.

Closure of diastema and gingival recontouring using direct adhesive restorations: a case report.

UNLABELLED: One of the challenges in clinical esthetic dentistry is closing anterior diastemas without creating "black triangles" between the teeth. The success of a restorative treatment in anterior teeth depends on the esthetic integration between soft tissues and hard tissues. The conditioning of the interdental papilla is a simple, direct, predictable, and low-cost alternative. This paper reports a case on diastema closure in anterior teeth that was successfully treated using gingival recontouring and composite resin restorations. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The closure of diastemas in anterior teeth using direct adhesive restorations and gingival recontouring is a viable option for the clinician because it restores esthetic harmony between soft and hard tissues.

Direct adhesive restoration of anterior teeth: Part 2. Clinical protocol.

Contemporary adhesive restorations allow clinicians to deliver minimally invasive, functional, and aesthetic treatment for compromised dentition in the anterior and posterior regions. Part 1 of this article discussed the state-of-the-art relating to composite restorations, both in situations deemed to be relatively uncomplicated and those that are more complicated. This second part discusses the clinical protocol for the placement of direct composite materials as well as the tooth preparation considerations that must be addressed when providing minimally invasive treatment options.

Tooth fragment reattachment: fundamentals of the technique and two case reports.

Coronal fractures must be approached in a methodical and clinically indicated way to achieve successful restoration. One option for treatment is reattachment of the dental fragment. Reattachment creates a very positive emotional response in the patient and simplifies the maintenance of the patient's original occlusion. This article discusses dental fragment reattachment techniques and presents clinical cases of coronal fracture involving enamel, dentin, and pulpal exposure.