Update in clinical procedures

Achieving the best aesthetic restorations: are materials the answer?

The speaker described the five-step treatment workflow which they use for all cases (fig 1):

  1. Determine the incisal edge position
  2. Depending on the complexity of the case, decide whether to change or maintain the maxilla–mandible relationship
  3. Choose the optimum vertical dimension for the case
  4. Restore the functional pathways (with anterior guidance)
  5. Provide posterior occlusal support to stabilise the aesthetic rehabilitation
Incisal edge position

The position of the incisal edge is determined by aesthetics (Ramfjord et al., 1966; Mohl et al., 1988; McNeill et al., 1997). The amount of tooth that is visible depends on the patient’s preference. It is also influenced by phonetics, since the incisal edge position affects the pronunciation of ‘S’ and ‘F-V’ sounds. Regarding function, this will be decided by the anterior limit of protrusive trajectory.

This position is determined with the ‘digital smile design’ app (DSD/APP). It is a useful tool to plan the rehabilitation, and to communicate with the patient about aesthetics through the use of pictures and dynamic recordings. To accurately judge the incisal edge position for each patient, it is vital to observe them smiling and talking in a video.

The 2D design has to be transformed into a 3D mock-up (whether from an analogical wax-up or a direct digital wax-up). The wax-up is used to fabricate the provisional, which can be printed or milled in the digital workflow. Once the provisional is approved, the definitive restoration can be made in any material – it is not the material that is the key to success, but the proper workflow.

Maxilla–mandible relationships

Next, a functional diagnosis is needed to see if patient’s occlusion should be changed. When the patient has a good balance between functional demands and their capacity to adapt (no complaints, no symptoms, and no signs of pathology or dysfunction), the occlusal scheme does not need to be changed. However, when the patient presents with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or muscle pain, dysfunction, an uncomfortable bite, hypersensitive or worn teeth, broken restorations, abnormal tooth mobility, tooth migration, etc., we are likely facing pathologic occlusion. This occlusion must be re-organised in order to achieve the ideal model of therapeutic occlusion.

Centric relation

To re-organise occlusion, the start point should always be the centric relation, because it is a reproducible position (Keshvad & Winstanley, 2000-2001; Rinchuse & Kandasamy, 2006). There are numerous methods for achieving this, but the speaker highlighted Lucia’s jig (Lucia, 1964) and Kois’ de-programmer (Kois, 2002) methods as the two which are most convenient (in his experience) (fig 2–3). Both methods provide a stable first contact point position which can be scanned to prepare a highly accurate bite registration. A digital workflow allows us to avoid the errors which can arise in every step of analogue workflows.

Occlusal vertical dimension (OVD)

There is a great deal of misinformation about this topic. This is because, traditionally, it was recommended that OVD not be changed. However, in the majority of cases, OVD should be changed, as it provides several advantages (Calamita et al., 2019):

Augmenting the OVD has been shown to be safe when it is made between the limits of the functional adaptation (McNeill et al., 1997; Abduo et al., 2012; Moreno-Hay & Okeson, 2015). When opening the bite, however, it should be noted that the occlusion has to be rebuilt in the three dimensions of the space (not just vertically). This has implications involving teeth, TMJs, muscles and phonetics. Therefore, to proceed, we must first work with provisionals. Provisionals at the same time act as a clinical test and as a guide for the definitive prosthesis.

How much OVD can be augmented? Posselt’s diagram shows that when the mandible opens, it also moves down and back (Posselt 1952). The ‘1-2-3 rule’ is a useful way to calculate this movement: for every additional 1mm in posterior teeth, the height in incisors increases by 2mm, the overjet by 1.3mm overjet and the incisal pin of the articulator by 3mm (Rebibo 2009) (fig 4).

The angle classification determines how much the bite opening should be increased. Class I bites can be opened easily. With class II, the lingual contact is lost when the bite is opened and the occlusion destabilises. In cases involving class III angles, the lingual position of the upper incisor can be compensated (if necessary) according to the treatment plan.

The literature tends to guide us towards opening the bite. Numerous methods have been described, like facial proportions, free-way space, deglutition, phonetics, cephalometric, cemento-enamel junction, occlusal splint or TENS.

The facial aesthetic harmony is not relevant in this process, since attempts to alter the height of the face by changing OVD by 2–6mm are not generally visible (Gross et al., 2002). However, it is sometimes the case that the facial height needs to be changed by at least 8mm, and with so large opening, the lingual face of the restorations will be too thick. This altered lingual incisor anatomy may cause phonetic alterations when pronouncing ‘S’ sounds.

Functional pathways

When lengthening the upper incisors, the anterior functional guidance should be considered to avoid hampering the mandibular displacement and overloading the restorations, which could lead to failure. The clinical relevance of this was proved in a study showing that the risk of veneer fracture is 2.3 times higher after incisal lengthening (Gurel et al., 2013). The flatter the disclusion angle, the less stress on the restorations (fig 5–6).

Posterior support

Digital tools which can register reference planes and scan dental arches may be used as an alternative to conventional articulators. Taking this even further, the speaker described some software that can scan the face and merge the CBCT records, to give us the so-called ‘digital patient’.[1]

Now, provisionals can be fabricated using several procedures. The speaker said they prefer the indirect bonded approach with polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA), which can be either printed or milled, due to its strength and precise finish.

Treatment sequence

The sequence of the treatment move in the opposite direction to diagnosis (fig 7). After periodontal treatment, the old restorations are replaced with composite and the required endodontics are performed. Then, the single-unit PMMA additive provisionals are placed for aesthetic and functional test (fig 8). Next, the definitive restoration should start by placing using the lower anterior ceramic veneers, then lower posterior conservative crowns and onlays, and the upper anterior and posterior final restorations.

Materials

Provisionals are used as a guide for preparing the abutments for the final prosthesis. The speaker stated that they use leucite reinforced glass ceramic (Empress CAD®) in normal cases, as it offers the best combination of aesthetics and strength; in the case of bruxers, they use lithium disilicate (Magne & Belser, 2004; Gurel et al., 2005). Once all definitive restorations are cemented, it is time for occlusal equilibration and force control. To this end, different articulating papers are used, especially those with a thickness of 100, 21 and 8µ. Finally, a milled splint is placed and adjusted.

The speaker concluded by stating that perfection doesn’t exist. However, we can certainly get close to it with proper treatment planning and workflows, meticulous execution and a force control by occlusal equilibration.


[1]   The speaker showed the Modjaw® software as an example.