Too many cases begin with the dentist completely prepping away all the enamel, characteristics, and shape of their patients’ natural teeth; then a perfect “cookie-cutter” provisional is placed, followed by perfectly shaped and positioned “cookie-cutter” per-manent restorations. The problem with this is that all of our pa-tients end up looking alike. And more often than not, our patients’ smiles end up looking like our mentors’ patients’ smiles. More...

    Achieving predictable aesthetic results requires precise communication between the patient, clinician, and laboratory. This transfer of information should be accurate and complete and detail the goals of both the clinician and patient for the final restoration. This article presents a step-by-step case description that exemplifies how precise communication between the dental professional and laboratory technician resulted in definitive restorations that were durable and functional, as well as aesthetic.. More...

   There were three main objectives of this case. The first was to raise the tissue height of teeth #8 and #9. The second was to restore the incisal edges while achieving correct height-to-width ratio. The third was to brighten and whiten the smile. The clinician also wanted to reshape and bleach the lower anteriors after removing the braces to complete the smile (Figs 1-5).. More...

   This article presents a layering technique that can be used to lower the value of an Empress 01 ingot (Ivoclar/Vivadent; Amherst, NY) while rendering a vital, esthetic incisal edge. The Empress 01 ingot was not originally meant for layering, as its melting temperature is lower than the fusing temperature of the layering material. However, a technique has been developed to lower the fusing temperature of the layering material. For this reason, Ivoclar Vivadent, Inc. does not advocate layering over their staining technique ingots. With the help of this simple technique, it is possible to cut back and layer an 01 ingot and create life-like restorations that are indistinguishable from the adjacent natural teeth. More...