28 Spring 2012 • Volume 28 • Number 1

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Conservative repliCation of nature with a Class iv Direct Composite

Cosmetic dentistry in the form of composite bonding is very similar to the craftsmanship imparted by art restorers.

29 Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry

introduction

The ability to recreate historical artworks is considered by many to be almost impossible. However, after many years of training, art restoration experts can renovate and enhance works of art without many people being able to detect their work. Cosmetic dentistry in the form of composite bonding is very similar to the craftsmanship imparted by art restorers, maybe even more dif-ficult, in that we try to recreate the three-dimensional artwork—color and translucency of teeth. The dentist, acting as an “art re-storer,” attempts to recreate every nuance of that portion of tooth structure that is missing or damaged to appear as though nothing had ever occurred.

Cosmetically inclined dental patients have myriad treatment options available to alter and enhance the appearance of their teeth. The abundance of treatment and material variations allows for truly customized recreations and artistic interpretation, offer-ing the clinician the ability to create amazing and often dramatic outcomes. The patient discussed in this article desired to con-servatively restore the appearance of her existing teeth. The ad-vantage of direct composite resin is that further removal of tooth structure is minimal. She wanted to whiten her teeth, replace the existing bonding on her fractured front maxillary central incisor (tooth #8), and modify the facial dimple on tooth #9.

Conservative repliCation of nature with a Class iv Direct Composite

UnderstandingStratificationtoEmulateNature’sOptics

Snyder

ToddC.Snyder,DDS

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patient History

A 44-year-old woman presented with a recent fracture on the mesio-incisal of tooth #8. Her previous dentist had recently in-adequately restored the facture (the bonding had failed within days of the initial restoration). She had gone back to the den-tist on an emergency basis for the bonding to be redone. The dentist then placed a large bulk of composite with little to no finishing or polishing simply to address the urgency of the dis-figured tooth. The dentist then told the patient she would have to come back for them to finalize the procedure. She was very upset and sought out a new dental office for proper cosmetic treatment.

The patient was in good health with no medical issues. She had sealants and numerous posterior composites, but all of them appeared intact. There was a 2-mm overjet and 3-mm overbite with a Class I occlusion. The maxillary midline was shifted to the left approximately 3 mm and had a slight slant. The mandibular midline also was shifted about 2 mm to the left. Generalized gingival recession was present along with some abfraction lesions in the posterior dentition. Radiographs showed no decay. An oral assessment of tissue was performed visually and with the aid of a Velscope Vx (LED Dental; Burnaby, BC Canada), which showed all tissue to be within normal lim-its. The temporomandibular joints had no pain-related issues; however, the patient did have some joint noise on her left side upon opening. We recommended that she have a nightguard fabricated to prevent potential joint deterioration and damage to her teeth and dental restorations.

Diagnosis and treatment

The patient presented with localized, mild periodontal disease, plaque and calculus, some inflamed tissue, and bleeding upon probing. She stated that she had had a cleaning within the past six months and did not want one at the present time. Mild fremitus was noted in the maxillary and mandibular anterior dentition. The obviously hurried, emergency composite was unsightly and needed to be replaced properly. Furthermore, the patient had a developmental dimple or pit on the facial of #9 (Figs 1-3). She had some recession due to trauma from occlu-sion, clenching, and parafunctional habits. Additionally, there were numerous black triangles between her teeth, in particular the interproximal of #8 and #9. However, the existing restora-tion did not extend through the contact so we did not address that problem. Hygiene improvement may reduce loss of inflam-mation and a slight enlargement of gingival embrasures. Ad-ditionally, #8 was noted as being slightly shorter than #9 due to poorly placed composite and apically positioned gum line (Figs 1-3).

Figure 1: Preoperativeimage,1:2view.

Figure 2: Preoperativeretractedimage,1:2view.

Figure 3: Preoperativeimage,1:1view.

31 Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry

The treatment plan was to persuade the patient to have a thorough cleaning of the periodontal tissue prior to treatment. After stabilizing the periodontal tissue, the patient would be given a home whitening system. Upon completing the whitening we would al-low the tooth color to stabilize for two weeks prior to replacing the failing bonding on #8 (mesial, incisal, facial, lingual), and the facial defect on #9.

treatment

Shade SelectionThe front teeth requiring treatment were cleaned with a piezo instrument (EMS Corp.; Nyon, Switzerland), followed by hand instrumentation and polishing with an extra-fine prophy paste. Oral hygiene instructions were given in printed format to the patient. She then whitened her teeth for two weeks at home with a 15% carbamide peroxide gel custom whitening tray system (Mint Opalescence, Ultradent; South Jordan, UT). After she completed the home whitening procedure her teeth were allowed to stabilize for 10 days. Tooth #8 was anesthetized, (2% lidocaine w/1:100,000 epi-nephrine). Shade measurements were taken at this point utilizing the Optilume Trueshade (Optident; Ilkley, UK) device, which provides a constant color temperature of 5500K during illumination. Using the color chart (Fig 4) created and patented by Dr. Loren-zo Vanini (Micerium S.p.A.; Avegno, Italy), the various shades of composite necessary to complete the case were chosen, in addition to characterization, opales-cents, and intensives (tints). A color map was then fabricated indicating where each was be placed (Figs 5 & 6).1 Next, the various shades of composite material that were chosen were applied to the tooth and cured to check their validity as some color shift-ing can occur during polymerization. Black and white photography can also aid in the evaluation of value and translucency (Fig 7). Upon approval of the vari-ous shades of composite materials the restoration work could begin.

Removal of Old CompositeThe first step was to use diamond burs to remove all of the old composite restoration. A long bevel was not used, but rather a very small, short chamfer bevel was created on the facial margins only.2 This was followed by air abrasion (Crystal Mark Inc., Glendale, CA) of the preparation and beyond the margin slightly to clean off any debris and prepare the enamel sur-face for bonding. This also creates additional micro-mechanical retention to assist with long-term bond strength (Fig 8).

Figure 4: ColorchartpatentedbyDr.LorenzoVanini.

Snyder

The abundance of treatment and material variations allows for truly customized recreations and artistic interpretation.

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Enamel EtchingNext a clear mylar matrix was placed between the teeth to facilitate etching the enamel of #8 without etching #9. The prepared enamel was etched with 37% phos-phoric acid (Bisco; Schaumburg, IL) for 15 seconds, rinsed for five seconds and dried lightly, leaving the surface moist.3 This was followed by the application of Clearfil SE Protect per manufacturer’s directions (Kuraray Corp.; Tokyo, Japan). The bonding agent and etchant had been chosen for their anti-matrix me-talloproteinase (MMP)4 activity in addition to their excellent physical properties. The clear mylar matrix was removed to allow direct contact of the composite to the adjacent #9. Waxed floss was carefully rubbed against the mesial contact of #9, taking care not to touch any portion of the adhesive surface or tooth structure of #8. This was done so that the composite could be built against #9 without creating a gap. The adhesion between #9 and the composite bonding on #8 would be minimal to nonexistent due to the pro-tocol previously mentioned. Next, the missing dentin was replaced in the incisal third with a material that best approximated the current dentin tooth color and optical reflectance/refractive index.5-7

Composite LayeringENA HRi (Micerium S.p.A.) shade UD-0.5 had been chosen as the dentin replacement. This was placed by hand, sculpting the missing dentin with a feath-ering effect toward the incisal and leaving adequate room in the mesial, facial, and lingual aspects for the enamel layer of composite to be added. This incre-ment was cured for 40 seconds using the Optilux 501 halogen curing light (Demetron/Kerr;, Orange, CA). The mesial interproximal and lingual areas were built out next with ENA HRi shade EN3 for the enamel

Figures 5 & 6:Acolormapcanbefabricatedindicatingwhereeachshadeofcompositeistobeplaced.

Figure 7: Gray-scaledimageforvalueandtranslucencyevaluation.

Figure 8: Preparationdesignafterremovalofexistingcomposite.

33 Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry

layer. This layer was cured for 40 seconds. Space was left facially for additional composite layering as the enamel replacement at this point was only to create the lingual portion of tooth and the mesial contact. Translucent areas were created facially along the me-sial line angle and the incisal using ENA HRi UDN. ENA HRi IWS was used for some superficial white color enhancements along the incisal edge. The com-posite effects were then cured for 40 seconds. Every layer was placed by hand without the use of a stent, which was believed to be unnecessary due to the exist-ing tooth structure remaining (however, stents can be useful for larger cases).

The final layer of composite was placed to mimic the enamel shape and texture of the adjacent tooth using ENA HRi EN3. The overall contour of the resto-ration was achieved mostly during placement of the composite with hand instruments (Micerium S.p.A.) and brushes (#2 and a “rake,” both synthetic from the local crafts store) so that contouring with rotary in-struments would be lessened. Some final contouring was accomplished with ENA diamond finishing burs. Additional final contouring on the lingual was done using 12 fluted football-shaped finishing burs (Bras-seler USA; Savannah, GA). The facial was finessed with various grits of finishing discs (Kerr/Hawe; Or-ange, CA). This was followed by ENA Shiny A and B diamond polishing pastes (3µ and 1µ respectively), which were applied using goat hair brushes, while Shiny C paste (aluminum oxide) was used last on a felt wheel to impart a final high shine.8,9

The dimple on #9 was next to be treated. Air abra-sion was used again to roughen the tooth structure as well as to remove any plaque or debris. The dim-ple and surrounding area were etched, bonded, and cured in the same manner as previously mentioned. ENA HRi EN3 was used as a single increment to fill the small dimple. This was cured and polished in the same sequence of steps as #8.

After treatment was completed, the patient had a cleaning done by her regular dentist. Photographs of her teeth were taken a few weeks after the hygiene had improved (Figs 9-12).

summary

Restoring a defect in an anterior tooth can be one of the most difficult cosmetic procedures to perform in dentistry. The ability to recreate tooth structure using composite materials to achieve the same structural outline, morphology, and texture is very challenging. Additionally, the cosmetic dentist must mimic the same chroma, value, hue, and translucency, which re-

Snyder

Figure 9: Postoperativeretractedimage,1:2view.

Figure 10: Postoperativeimage,1:2view.

Figure 11: Postoperativeretractedimage,1:1view.

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quires patience, proper color evaluation, and practice. Using bonding procedures in conjunction with mod-ern materials, we can act as dental “art restorers” to enhance and recreate the lost appearance of a tooth, bringing back its original brilliance.

references

1. Vanini L, Mangani FM. Determination and communication of

color using the five color dimensions of teeth. Pract Proced Aes-

thet Dent. 2001;13(1):19-26; quiz 28.

2. Bargheri J, Denehy GE. Effect of enamel bevel and restoration

length on Class 4 acid-etch retained composite resin restora-

tions. J Am Dent Assoc. 1983 Dec;107(6):951-2.

3. Kanca J. Improving bond strength through acid etching of den-

tin and bonding to wet dentin surfaces. J Am Dent Assoc. 1992

Sept;123(9):35-43.

4. Pashley DH, Tay FR, Imazato S. How to increase the durabil-

ity of resin-dentin bonds. Compend Contin Educ Dent [Inter-

net]. 2011 Sept. Available from: http://www.dentalaegis.com/

cced/2011/09/how-to-increase-the-durability-of-resin-dentin-

bonds

5. Buda M. Form and color reproduction for composite resin re-

construction of anterior teeth. Int J Periodontics Restorative

Dent. 1994 Feb;14(1):35-47.

6. Fahl N, Denehy GE, Jackson RD. Protocol for predictable resto-

ration of anterior teeth with composite resin. Pract Periodontics

Aesthet Dent. 1995 Oct;7(8):13-21; quiz 22.

7. Terry DA, McLaren E. The interproximal zone: a Class III restora-

tion. Contemp Esthetics. 2001;5(11):46-56.

8. Terry DA. Finishing and polishing for function, esthetics, and

longevity. Esthet Tech. 2002;2:3-13.

9. Vanini L. Conservative composite restorations that mimic na-

ture. a step-by-step anatomical stratification technique. J Cos-

metic Dent. 2010; 26(3):80-98. jCD

Figure 12: Postoperativeretractedimage(gray-scaled),1:2view.

Dr. snyder received his doctorate in dental surgery at the university of

California at los angeles school of Dentistry. He practices in laguna niguel,

California.

Disclosure: the author did not report any disclosures.

The ability to recreate tooth structure using composite materials to achieve the same structural outline, morphology, and texture is very challenging.

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