The Daily Premolar Challenge

Restoring premolars is a common procedure, yet it always presents a small but significant clinical challenge. Achieving proper contact points is often difficult, and reproducing anatomical morphology within such a limited space is never simple.
In this case, an infiltrated restoration was replaced, and both the mesial and distal contact points had to be reconstructed. Respecting the natural tooth anatomy was essential to achieving a predictable, functional, and long-lasting

amalgam restoration

Fig.1
Pre-operative image of tooth 25 showing an old amalgam restoration.

rubber dam isolation style italiano

Fig.2
Rubber dam isolation. We began by placing the wedge using a pre-wedging technique, as described in the Styleitaliano article “Mind the Wedge”.

style italiano Cavity access with the wedges

Fig.3
Cavity access was performed with the customized wedges in place. The preparation is extended appropriately to allow thorough cleaning and provide adequate space for proper matrix placement.

LM Arte Cusp misura style italiano

Fig.4
Using LM-Arte Cusp Misura (LM Dental, Finland), we verified adequate support of both buccal and palatal cusps.

palatal cusps posterior restoration

Fig.5
In this case, both cusps were sufficiently supported by healthy tissue.

enamel etching

Fig.6
Selective enamel etching was performed for 30 seconds while protecting adjacent teeth with the matrix in place. The cavity is then thoroughly rinsed and gently air-dried.

adhesive Scotchbond Universal Plus solventum

Fig.7
The adhesive (Scotchbond Universal Plus, Solventum, USA) was actively applied and left to sit for at least 20 seconds.

styleitaliano air-thinned without light curing

Fig.8
The adhesive was carefully scrubbed with a brush and then gently air-thinned without light curing.

dental matrix polydentia styleitaliano

Fig.9
Placement of the Ring Polydentia My tines GO. The GO ring is the ideal partner for the matrices Quickmat Flex Fit, a slight modification on the occlusal flap was done in order to ba able to use the Posterior misura instrument (check image 13). Only at this stage the adhesive was light-cured.

flowable composite posterior restoration style italiano

Fig.10
Flowable composite was then placed to perform the snowplow technique.

matrices cervical area styleitaliano

Fig.11
The matrices with a small amount of flowable composite placed only in the cervical area

style italiano bulk fill composite

Fig.12
Then the interproximal wall was built using bulk-fill paste composite (Filtek One, Solventum), to provide greater density and stability.

style italiano spatulas Misura posterior

Fig.13
LM-Arte Misura Posterior (LM Dental, Finland) was used to copy from the adjacent tooth the correct height and inclination of the marginal ridge, reducing the risk of discrepancies that could require occlusal adjustments and potentially compromise anatomy if not properly calibrated from the outset.

composite restoration occlusal view before light curing

Fig.14
The height was then verified from the occlusal view before light curing.

posterior tooth proximal walls restoration style italiano

Fig.15
Detail of the proximal walls after measurement. Interproximal excess was removed, and only at this stage is the proximal wall light-cured.

matrix removal from posterior teeth style italiano

Fig.16
Using the Bella utility instrument allows clean and controlled matrix removal.

class I restoration style italiano

Fig.17
Class I restoration: flowable composite was placed on the cavity floor.

tooth light curing proximal wall

Fig.18
Light-curing. At this stage, both the flowable layer and the proximal wall can be polymerized again

filtek one solventum composite

Fig.19
Placement of bulk-fill composite Filtek One (Solventum) in a single increment.

style italiano composite placement

Fig.20
Composite immediately after placement.

cavity walls residual cusps composite restoration

Fig.21
First phase of Essential Lines: anatomy was reproduced starting from the cavity walls and residual cusps.

essential lines styleitaliano

Fig.22
Definition of the essential occlusal anatomy.

sof lex disc style italiano polishing

Fig.23
Interproximal finishing using pop-on Filtek Sof-Lex Disc (Solventum).

final result lateral view styleitaliano

Fig.24
Final restoration — lateral view.

composite posterior restoration occlusal view

Fig.25
Final restoration — occlusal view.

Conclusions

Maintaining adequately supported cusps was a key factor in the success of this posterior composite restoration. Thanks to LM-Arte Cusp Misura, we were able to accurately determine which cusps could be safely preserved, ensuring a conservative, yet predictable restorative approach.
Material selection also played a fundamental role. A universal adhesive such as Scotchbond Universal, combined with a bulk-fill composite like Filtek One, helped streamline the restorative workflow while maintaining clinical reliability and efficiency.
In addition, the GO ring system, with its innovative central embracing design, allowed us to achieve anatomical interproximal profiles that were easy to finish and refine. All of these factors translate into valuable chairside time savings for both clinicians and patients, while supporting predictable functional and aesthetic restorative outcomes.

Bibliography

  1. Dhadwal AS, Hurst D. No difference in the long-term clinical performance of
    direct and i indirect inlay /onlay composite restorations in posterior teeth. Evid
    Based Dent. 2017;18(4):121-122.
  2. da Veiga AM , Cunha AC, Ferreira DM, da Silva Fidalgo TK, Chianca TK, Reis
    KR, Maia LC. Longevity of direct and indirect resin composite restorations in
    permanent posterior teeth: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dent.
    2016;54:1-12.
  3. Monterubbianesi R, Orsini G, Tosi G, Conti C, Librando V, Procaccini M,
    Putignano A. Spectroscopic and Mechanical Properties of a New Generation of
    Bulk Fill Composites, Front. Physiol. 2016;7. doi:10.3389/fphys.2016.00652.
  4. Hirata R, Kabbach W, de Andrade OS, Bonfante EA, Giannini M, Coelho PG.
    Bulk Fill Composites: An Anatomic Sculpting Technique. J Esthet Restor Dent.
    2015;27:335–343. doi: 10.1111/jerd.12159.
  5. Chiodera G. Back to Basics: Mind the Wedge. 2017. Styleitaliano.org

RELATED CASES

Front Wing Technique for predictable direct diastema closure

Discover a systematic approach to diastema closure with the Front Wing Technique for predictable, aesthetic results.