The use of dental amalgam has declined, but in most of the world, amalgam is the most widely used and widely taught direct restorative material for load-bearing posterior restorations. There…
Precious alloys are an important material group in dentistry because of their ease of use, excellent compatibility, favorable mechanical and physical properties, and application in ceramometal bonding. Although new precious…
To obtain optimal and predictable aesthetics, deficiencies caused by soft and particularly hard tissue loss can be managed by various methods, such as orthodontic tooth eruption, socket preservation, and guided…
The primary reasons for splinting and stabilizing teeth are to connect them for the purpose of replacing missing teeth or as an adjunct to periodontal therapy. Although the restorations must…
Some compelling clinical benefits of porcelain and metal adhesion are presented. Current concepts for metal adhesion are reviewed, including modifications of metal surface and resin chemistry. Porcelain adhesion is reviewed,…
The shade matching of a restoration is the critical final step in aesthetic restorative dentistry once morphology and occlusion are addressed. This article describes a seven-step approach to successful shade…
Today’s dentist does not just repair teeth to make them better for chewing. Increasingly, his or her work involves esthetics. With patients demanding more attractive teeth, dentists now must become…
Porcelain laminate veneers have been one of the most used restorations for aesthetics. Aesthetics is a subject that is objective and necessitates excellent communication among the dentist, patient, and ceramist….
In esthetic dentistry, expanding the evaluation beyond the teeth is necessary to achieve a truly desirable result. The lips, attached and unattached mucosa, free gingival margin, and osseous position and…
Dental cements are designed to retain restorations, appliances, and post and cores in a stable and, presumably, long-lasting position in the oral environment. Conventional glass ionomer and zinc phosphate cements…
This article discusses failures that could occur if meticulous attention is not given to details such as planning the case, conservative (enamel saving) preparation of teeth, proper selection of ceramics…
Numerous simplified adhesives have been introduced to the dental market within the last few years, sometimes without comprehensive testing to validate the performance claimed by the respective manufacturers. Mild self-etch…
Many scientific and artistic principles considered collectively are useful in creating a beautiful smile. The evaluation and analysis of the face, lips, gingival tissues and teeth are all considered in…
Effective finishing and polishing of dental restorations not only result in optimal aesthetics but also provide for acceptable oral health of soft tissues and marginal integrity of the restorative interface….
Mastering anterior direct composite restorations is a necessity for the contemporary clinician who appreciates and understands the art and science of cosmetic dentistry. In the esthetic zone, composite bonding procedures…
Vital tooth whitening, when administered correctly, is by all accounts one of the safest, most conservative, least expensive, and most effective aesthetic procedures currently available to patients. This article traces…
A smile has a tremendous impact on perceptions of one’s attractiveness and one’s personality. Previous psychological research has shown that attractive people are perceived as more successful, intelligent, and friendly….
Where is the professional and public outrage at the troubling trends in the marketing and selling of “cosmetic” dentistry that besiege our profession today? The code of primum non nocere—first…
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) refer to a large group of musculoskeletal disorders that originate from the masticatory structures . There are two broad types of TMD: those primarily involving the muscles…
Surgery of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) plays a small, but important, role in the management of patients who have temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). The literature has shown that about 5% of…
