International Journal of Esthetic Dentistry (EN), 02/2023

Aim: To evaluate the influence of resin cement on the color stability of lithium disilicate and zirconia restorations immersed in coffee after aging. Materials and methods: Eighty maxillary premolars were classified into eight groups (n = 10) based on restorative material type (lithium disilicate or zirconia), resin cement type (G-CEM LinkForce; GC Corporation or Panavia SA Cement Plus Automix; Kuraray Noritake Dental), and preheating temperature (25°C or 54°C). Following tooth preparation, each restoration was bonded to its corresponding substrate. Using a reflectance spectrophotometer, Commission Internationale de l’Éclairage (CIE) tristimulus values were detected and calculated (D65 standard illumination, 10-degree observer angle). All specimens were aged (240,000 load cycles followed by 10,000 thermal cycles), then immersed in coffee (18 h). Following that, the second measurements of the color coordinates were determined. The total color differences were measured, and the data were statistically analyzed (α = 0.05). Results: The temperature had a significant effect on ΔL΄ (P < 0.001), ΔC΄ (P < 0.001), and ΔH΄ (P < 0.001). The lithium disilicate restorations were more color stable than the zirconia restorations. Also, there was a significant difference (P = 0.047) between the LinkForce (2.28 ± 0.48) and Panavia SA (2.15 ± 0.46) cement. The restorations cemented at a temperature of 54°C (1.76 ± 0.11) showed significant color differences (P < 0.001) compared with those cemented at a temperature of 25°C (2.67 ± 0.15). A three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test revealed that the interaction between the ceramic material, cement type, and temperature had no statistically significant effect (P = 0.611) on the color stability of the ceramic restorations. Conclusions: Cement type has a significant effect on the color stability of lithium disilicate and zirconia restorations. Cement at a temperature of up to 54°C enhances the color stability of lithium disilicate and zirconia restorations.

Objective: The present study was formulated as a gender-based evaluation of the vertical apicocoronal (VAC), horizontal mesiodistal (HMD), and horizontal faciopalatal (HFP) dimensions of the interproximal area and their influence on the presence of interdental papillae and gingival thickness (GT) in maxillary anterior teeth. Materials and methods: A total of 120 patients in an age range of 20 to 40 years, divided equally into two groups based on gender, were evaluated for interproximal VAC, HMD, and HFP dimensions through radiovisiographic (RVG) images. Additionally, the existence of interdental papillae and GT were assessed clinically in the maxillary anterior sextant. Results: The overall mean VAC dimensions in between the central incisors were greater in females than in males, with maximum mean values of 5.91 ± 0.33 mm and 5.03 ± 0.23 mm, respectively. The mean values for HMD and HFP showed a reverse trend, being greater in males than in females, with the differences being statistically significant. Similarly, the mean GT was greater in males than in females (P < 0.0001). It was also shown that as the VAC dimension increased, the existence of complete papillae in the interproximal areas reduced. Conclusions: The gender variability of intraoral characteristics such as VAC and GT dimensions and their influence on the existence of interdental papillae provide valuable guidelines that can be implemented in procedures in the maxillary anterior sextant. The associations between HMD and HFP dimensions and interdental papillae were not clearly evident, and further exploration in participants of different age groups would be useful and informative.

Deep subgingival margins are a much-debated topic in adhesive and restorative dentistry. The hydrophobic trait of direct composite resin materials challenges the restorative procedure of cavities with deep subgingival margins since isolation is complicated. A correct indication for a deep margin elevation (DME) treatment is the key to its clinical success, and adequate adaptation of the DME is crucial to its clinical performance. An adequate adaptation of the DME may potentially reduce bacterial accumulation and reduce the incidence of secondary caries as well as maintain periodontal health. The present case report aims to provide a step-by-step overview of the DME technique when applied in combination with a partial indirect glass-ceramic restoration and also provides clinical guidelines to tackle deep subgingival cavities. The indication for a DME and the selection of appropriate materials are explained, supported by the literature.

Aim: To describe a technique for performing an adhesive oral rehabilitation based on a digital workflow and focused on the integration between esthetic and occlusal aspects in a young patient with a worn dentition. Materials and methods: An adhesive oral rehabilitation with severe loss of dental structure in a 40-year-old male patient is described. The treatment was based on a fully digital workflow (including facial scanning), esthetic and occlusal virtual planning, guided implant surgeries, an adhesive resin prototype, and ceramic restorations. The technique integrates both esthetic and occlusal factors, splitting the dental arches into four sectors and following a stepped sequence with specific objectives for each one. The loss of dental structure was initially rebuilt by an adhesive composite resin full-mouth prototype rehabilitation. This step also helped to confirm the esthetic and occlusal digital planning. After 4 months, lithium disilicate restorations were delivered following the same order, sector by sector, to reduce possible errors when transferring the previously approved anatomy to the final ceramic oral rehabilitation. Lastly, an acrylic nightguard was installed and a 6-month recall program established. Results: An accurate integration between esthetic and occlusal aspects was achieved during digital planning, which was also corroborated by the adhesive resin prototype. The final ceramic restorations fulfilled the patient’s esthetic expectations and recovered the occlusal anatomy. Conclusions: The proposed esthetically guided and occlusally protected (EGOP) technique seems to be a reliable approach to treat patients with worn dentition. Further clinical research and additional proposals are necessary to assess the possible benefits associated with these procedures.

With changing expectations for dental treatment, esthetics have become an essential factor in defining successful rehabilitation with dental implants. The stability of the gingival contours as well as the color and texture of the surrounding tissue are critical for the long-term maintenance of successful implant treatment outcomes. The aim of the present article is to demonstrate the correlation of the 3D implant position and the adjacent tissue management protocol with the long-term maintenance of immediate implant placement results in postextraction sites. A series of 12 cases with a mean follow-up of 21.91 months is presented to introduce the concept of the ‘magic square’ (MS), denoting the area formed in the cervical implant region when the ideal 3D implant position is achieved. This position is 3-mm coronoapical from the implant platform to the gingival margin, with the maintenance of a 3-mm vestibulopalatine thickness of the buccal bone (ie, hard tissue gap from the buccal implant surface to the outer portion of the buccal bone wall), and a ≥ 3-mm soft tissue gap at the cervical portion of the implant. The achievement of the MS promotes soft tissue growth and the formation of a thicker peri-implant bone ridge, and ensures the stability of treatment outcomes over time.

White spot lesions are considered to be a major concern in esthetic dentistry. These lesions can be treated with noninvasive to less invasive procedures, which remain a challenge for many clinicians. The treatment of choice should be as minimally invasive as possible and should aim to minimize the color difference between the white spots and the healthy tooth enamel. Tooth whitening can be used initially to minimize this difference by rendering the extent of the white spot defects less visible, which permits a bevel effect. In addition, the microinvasive treatment option of resin infiltration, which does not involve trauma or require cavity preparation, can supplement the tooth whitening procedure to achieve excellent esthetic results, giving patients renewed confidence in their smiles. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to illustrate the combination of dental bleaching and resin infiltration in a patient with white spot lesions caused by diffuse opacities (teeth that were undergoing enamel maturation at the time of occurrence of a systemic insult). The treatment aimed to improve the patient’s esthetics, self-esteem, and quality of life.