Introduction
Direct resin restorations are often the ultimate challenge for the restorative dentist as a clinician and artisan. The culminating result measures the dentist's abilities in patient management, smile design and the understanding of the mechanical and physical properties of dental resins. Chairside, the dentist morphs into the laboratory technician. Resins, opaquers and tints are layered as a ceramic artist would with porcelain. Today, there is no single direct restorative that fulfills all the prerequisites for a predictable result: function, aesthetics and biocompatibility, but the combination of materials and techniques can produce a beautiful synergistic result.1
In an environment of responsible esthetics, it is the clinician's obligation to design predictable, functional, healthy and durable restorations conserving as much of the patient's original tooth structure as possible.2 Historically, the tendency may have been to digress to heavy-handed preparations of the teeth with complete or partial coverage with ceramic materials. Our preparation designs were driven by our understanding and choice of materials, instead of by our understanding and diagnosis of the functional design of the system we are restoring and the existing conditions of the surfaces of the teeth that remain. Our anecdotal experience has deepened our appreciation in the conservation of tooth structure.3 Restorations do not last forever, and we need to weigh the consequences of the latent effect of removal of tooth structure. Essential to this approach is the preservation of enamel. The quality and quantity of enamel that remains, significantly affects the flexural strength of the teeth and the durability and strength of the bond of the restoration. 4,5
Contemporary development of ceramics and resins provide the clinician with the alternative choices for a conservative design. The choice of materials is often influenced by the clinician's experience and skill. The scope and magnitude of the case will also mitigate this decision. Admittedly, direct resin restorations can present a laborious, time-consuming effort. With proper case selection however, direct resins do remain a viable option for a functionally durable and esthetic result.6
Case Illustration
The application of direct resin for multiple anterior teeth is a valuable exercise in understanding of the nuances of micro and macro elements of smile design. Although this may be an infrequent restorative selection for many clinicians, simply successfully completing this procedure once will greatly enhance the operator's ability to predictably complete indirect restorations. Appreciating the concepts of stratification and layering of composites will give the operator insight into the effects of layering ceramic materials and their optical effects, and understand how the influence of the contours and surface effects will help to ensure restorations that predictably emulate nature.7,8
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A key element for case selection for direct resin restorations can often hinge upon the risk assessment for occlusal forces. Forensic evidence of occlusal disease on the existing dentition will help to define the magnitude of this risk. The ability to move a patient to a Dawson Class I or IA occlusal classification will ensure the predictability of a case. A classic indication for this type of restorative solution is a post-orthodontic case that may exist as a Dawson Class II or IIA that can be equilibrated, with proper analysis, to eliminate any interference in closure to centric occlusion, with deterioration of the facial surfaces of the anterior teeth that support the need for restoration.9
Only after a complete exam and the assessment of the biological, structural and functional elements, can a restorative design be initiated. Model analysis and a diagnostic wax-up will help to illuminate the deficiencies in anterior tooth contours that require restoration. The esthetic exam, through a facially generated diagnostic process, will guide the operator through the essential elements of macro and micro esthetic design parameters. In cases where ultra-conservative preparation design is possible, the foundation shade of the remaining dentition will have an influence of the translucency of the layering resins selected in the restoration. Dental whitening provides an excellent technique to alter this underlying tooth shade, before restoration.10
The selection of resins can then be completed, based upon the tooth structure that we are trying to replicate. Dentin is an amorphic layer of the tooth with significantly different optical properties than enamel. Enamel is a crystalline structure that is essentially transparent that acts as an optical filter over the dentin. With stratification layering of resins, our concept is to use materials that have similar optical properties for each of those layers that we are replacing.11,12,13 It is important when choosing the appropriate layering resins to do so prior to preparation. Dehydration of the tooth structure will greatly impact the perceive shade of a tooth. This is best accomplished by creating a custom shade tab, with layers of the anticipate resin in the thicknesses that seem appropriate. Evaluating the cured appearance of the custom shade tab adjacent to the naturally hydrated teeth that the operator is attempting to harmonize with will help ensure the most natural result. Once this shade formulation is discovered, it is critical for the operator to have confidence in it and trust it. The tendency is during the clinical layering of resin, to begin to modify that formulation based on the appearance at the time of application, which is a visually inaccurate reference to the teeth relative to their naturally hydrated state.14,15
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Preparation design is dictated by the inadequacies of the current tooth structure relative to contour, discolorations and composition. Preparation depths of .3 - .5mm may be considered reasonable, but may include areas of no preparation because of deficiencies in tooth contour, or more preparation due to previously existing restorations, discoloration or excessive tooth contour. Resins can then be layered and contoured as desired.16
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Contouring, finishing and polishing resin restorations can often be the greatest challenge. After tremendous effort in design, preparation and application of the resin, the result can fall short by the elimination of critical line angles, morphology and surface texture through over polishing. With patience and experience, this can be accomplished to create a beautifully natural result that harmonizes with the balance of the dentition. One technique to visualize this process is through the use of diagnostic models and photographs. After the initial application of material and contouring, it is often beneficial to stop, take impressions, photograph the case and reschedule the patient for additional detailing. Operator fatigue often leads to a loss of perspective and a less than optimal result.17,18,19
Analysis of diagnostic models and photographs, give the operator an excellence fresh perspective on the elements of the case that need additional detailing. Observation of line angles, facial embrasures, and surface contours can be better visualized. The operator can then create a specific list of items to be detailed that can then be carried to the operatory at the patient's next visit to be more effective and efficient in detailing and polishing.
Material Selection
Beyond the obvious parameters of shade and opacity that mimic natural tooth structure, the desired key properties for composite resin materials are strength and ability to create a sustainable surface luster. In the past these properties could only be meet with a combination of two families of resin materials: hybrids and microfills.20 Hybrids gave us the strength and wear characteristics that we required for durability and microfills gave us the glass-like luster and translucency that we needed to mimic the enamel layer. The advance of resin science has launched the development of nano-hybrid composite materials that, through the management particle size and composition, give us a universal material that can meet our functional and esthetic requirements.21,22,23
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IPS Empress Direct is nano-hybrid composite that meets these criteria of functional strength and esthetics. It is a light-cured, radiopaque composite, offered in 32 different shades and 5 different degrees of translucency. The interesting property of this material is the luster of surface finish that previously was difficult to obtain and maintain with traditional hybrid restorations. IPS Empress direct also offers the simplicity of stratification by replacement of tooth layers with a resin that mimics those substrates physical and optical properties.24
Conclusion & Summary
In an age of responsible esthetics the onus is placed on the operator to provide a restorative solution that not only meets the functional and esthetic goals of the patient, but with a design that conserves tooth structure. Direct resin veneers can be a very conservative treatment modality to enhance the smile and restore the confidence of our patients. The frequency with which a dentist may perform these restorations may be limited in many cases, but the insight gleaned is valuable in broader modalities of both direct and indirect restorations. The advent of nano-hybrid composites provides a universal material that will meet treatment requirements in many cases. IPS Empress Direct is a unique system that possesses that attributes of strength, shade compatibility and finish luster that was not as easily achieved in the past. With the understanding of occlusal concepts and material selection, a predictable result and a happy patient is a validating experience for the dentist.
References
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