Adhesion and optics: The challenges of esthetic oral rehabilitation on varied substrates—Reflections based on a clinical report

• DOI: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2019.12.004
• Publication Date: 2020-02-12T13:48:09Z
• Authors: Maristela Lobo; Walleska Feijó Li...; Marcos Gabriel Vi...; Larissa Maria Cav...; Luis Felipe J. Sc...
• Keywords: Incisor; Ceramics; Dental Veneers; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Crowns; Humans; Esthetics, Dental; Dental Porcelain

Patients with challenging prosthodontic conditions require rehabilitation with a biological, functional, and esthetic approach. When one or more teeth are badly discolored, their restoration is problematic because poor appearance affects not only the crown but also the periodontal tissues. This clinical report describes a complex esthetic rehabilitation with conservative tissue management and ceramic restorations. Subepithelial connective tissue graft surgery and the replacement of a cast metal post with a glass fiber post addressed the problem of a discolored maxillary central incisor. The discolored right maxillary incisor was restored with a combination of a medium-opaque, lithium-disilicate ceramic coping to mask the dark root and to approximate the color of the other incisors. Subsequently, 6 ceramic veneers were placed. A knowledge of the materials' optical properties and adhesion possibilities helped solve this complex problem.