To keep pace with the latest trends in cosmetic dentistry—including the need for durable, highly esthetic and convenient materials for use when creating direct restorations—the IPS Empress system has evolved significantly. Its most recent addition, IPS Empress Direct, is a light-curing, nano-hybrid direct composite that demonstrates exceptional handling properties for achieving consistent anterior esthetics, similar to ceramics, but with the on-demand ease of composite.
Clinicians need only determine the dentin and enamel shades using the IPS Empress Direct ceramic shade guide and simply replace the missing tooth structure with the appropriate material; they replace dentin with the corresponding dentin shade, and enamel with the corresponding enamel shade.
Because IPS Empress Direct is a nano-hybrid composite, it provides a gloss retention similar to that of a microfill or nanofill, but because it is a hybrid, it will also provide the benefit of higher strength and modulus of elasticity, making it suitable for posterior indications, also.
Here's a case where a patient presented with distal decay on tooth 20 as noted on routine bitewings.
Clinical Procedure
1. Place rubber dam to ensure complete isolation.
2. Remove the caries and prepare the tooth.
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Figure 1. After complete isolation is achieved with the rubber dam, the caries are removed. |
3. Apply a total-etch gel to the teeth for 15 seconds.
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Figure 2. Place a total etch gel on the preparation for 15 seconds. |
4. Place a desensitizing agent to the preparation.
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Figure 3. A desensitizing agent is applied to the preparation. |
5. Apply an adhesive bonding agent to the preparation for 10 seconds.
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Figure 4. An adhesive bonding agent is applied to the preparation using a convenient dispensing tool (VivaPen). |
6. Air thinned the bonding agent using high pressure, the light-cure for 10 seconds using an LED curing light
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Figure 5. The IPS Empress Direct composite in shade TRANS 30 is placed, then cured with an LED curing light. |
7. Place the appropriate dentin or enamel shade of IPS Empress Direct, sculpt, and cure for 40 seconds.
8. Remove the rubber dam and finish and polish restoration using a series of integrated products, including the Optrapol polisher.
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Figure 6. After removing the rubber dam, the restoration is finished and polished. |