This article and its content are published under the Author’s responsibility as an expression of the Author’s own ideas and practice. Styleitaliano denies any responsibility about the visual and written content of this work.
An ideal smile depends on the symmetry and balance of facial and dental characteristics such as color, shape, and teeth position, considering that shape determines function and that the anterior teeth play a critical role in the patient’s oral health.
Moreover, shape and texture are key to restoring the natural beauty while integrating the restoration with the remaining natural teeth and smile of the patient. In this article we will see how we can restore the natural teeth beauty by using direct compoSite to enhance the shape of the teeth and the patient overall smile.
Fig.1
A 20-year-old female came to the dental clinic complaining of her smile appearance, wishing to get a solution to smile more confidently.
Fig.2
Retracted view of upper arch showing multiple defective old composite restorations. After discussing the treatment plan with the patient, we decided to do direct compoSite closure of multiple diastemata as a minimally invasive approach. Here we will use enamel shade only that’s enough to close the small diastemas, modify the shape and also to increase the brightness of the teeth a little, which will take the color of the teeth to more natural appearance.
Fig.3
Rubber dam is placed for isolating the teeth. Floss ligation retract the papillae laterally and enable better control over the emergence profile of the future restorations.
If the papillae are not laterally retracted the result is the presence of an interdental black triangle.
Fig.4
After removal of old defective restorations and cleaning the surfaces, no need for further preparation was found, so the approach was completely additive, except for the cavity on the upper right lateral incisor.
Fig.5
Enamel etching for 30 seconds and then carefully rinsing for 60 seconds to remove all etchant remnants.
Fig.6
White chalky appearance after good enamel etching.
Fig.7
Multiple coats of bonding agent are applied and then air blown after 30 seconds to let the solvent evaporate. Light curing for 60 seconds for each surface.
Fig.8
The first step of Front Wing technique is creating the buccal wings freehand as precisely as possible, in this case using the Enamel shade (White Dental Beauty).
Fig.9
After building the from wings, it is time to focus on sealing the restorations and on the achievement of a tight contact point, by placing two sectional matrices with a wedge. A composite increment is then placed to fill the palatal part and condensed until excess material stops flowing from the buccal.
Fig.10
We did the same on the left lateral, building the labial wing then adapting the matrix to fill the palatal part using the Enamel shade (White Dental Beauty).
Fig.11
Then we add a layer Enamel shade (White Dental Beauty) on the labial surface to modify the shape and increase the brightness. Composite can be easily adapted by using the Solo instrument (LM arte powered by Styleitaliano).
Fig.12
The same procedure was used to restore the canine.
Fig.13
The same exact procedure was used on the right side. All restorations will be finished and polished at the same time.
Fig.14
The perio diamond bur from the Styleitaliano Finishing kit is ideal to even the surface at low speed, and to correct shape and contour.
Fig.15
The SofLex™ spiral wheel (3M™) polisher is ideal for pre-polishing, thanks to its flexible shape which adapts to all tooth surfaces.
Fig.16
The Lucida™ Star Felt is a disposable polishing device. Latch mandrels for the Lucida Star Felt may be autoclaved and reused. The DiaShine Lucida™ Paste is completely water soluble. These two allow for a single-step polishing of composite restorations. After applying the paste on the teeth surfaces and then starting polishing.
Fig.17
immediately after removal of rubber dam
Fig.18
Side view shows surface texture and gloss. The polishing paste can dissolve in water and easily washed by rinsing.
Fig.19
The final situation, the patient is satisfied with the result.
Conclusions
The simplest treatment option should always be considered, especially if it’s the one meeting the patient’s needs and wishes. The simplest option can sometimes restore the natural beauty as we did here using only one enamel shade to close small diastemas, modify the shape of the teeth, and increase the brightness while staying minimally invasive.
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