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The fracture of restorations used for diastema closure is a clinical concern. The objective of this study was to perform a finite element-based comparative analysis of functional stress patterns in composite resin veneer restorations used for diastema closure to determine the influence of factors such as the preparation design, proximal extension, loading level, and vector of stress (loading angle). Three-dimensional finite element stress analysis was performed on a maxillary central incisor model to examine the stress distribution resulting from a nanofilled composite veneer restoration with 4 different extensions of unsupported composite (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 mm) and 2 different preparation designs (partial or full) under 3 loads (50, 150, or 250 N) and 3 loading angles (60°, 90°, or 125°). The maximum stress was found to be concentrated on the full-preparation design with a 0.5-mm mesial extension under a 250-N load and 60° loading angle. The minimum stress was found with the partial-preparation design with a 0.5-mm mesial extension under a 50-N load and 90° loading angle. Based on the results of the present study, a partial-preparation design is preferred when nanofilled composite resins are used for diastema closure.

Due to improvements in esthetic dentistry, the number of patients seeking to obtain a more harmonious smile has increased. A 40-year-old woman was referred for treatment because she was dissatisfied with the effect that diastemas and a conoid tooth had on her smile. Her maxillary anterior teeth were relatively short, resulting in a compromised esthetic relationship between height and width. Orthodontic treatment for better distribution of her teeth was recommended to the patient, but she refused, wanting faster and less expensive treatment. After diagnostic and waxed-up study casts were obtained, composite resin esthetic mock-ups were made to confirm that sufficient space was left for formation of the interdental papilla. After the patient approved the mock-ups, her anterior teeth were submitted to bleaching, definitive restoration, and additional occlusal adjustments. At the 1-year follow-up, the patient exhibited a harmonious, esthetic smile without black spaces or periodontal inflammation.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a prothrombotic autoimmune disease that may be classified as primary or secondary. Treatment consists of oral anticoagulant, antiplatelet, and/or immunosuppressant drugs. This report describes the dental treatment of 2 women with APS and multiple dental concerns, including periodontal disease, caries, and missing teeth. The invasive dental procedures were performed in an outpatient setting with hematologic monitoring and use of local hemostatic measures. Neither interruption of anticoagulant medications nor administration of blood products was necessary. All of the procedures were performed without complications. To date, no recommendations for the dental care of patients with APS have been established, demonstrating a need to investigate the risks for bleeding and infection, among other concerns, during dental treatment of these patients.

An intricate balance between the periodontal tissues and the forces of occlusion, tongue, and lips helps to maintain a tooth in its physiologic position within the dental arch. Disturbances in the equilibrium can cause a tooth to migrate pathologically, often requiring multidisciplinary treatment approaches. The present case demonstrates, for the first time, the use of autologous platelet-rich plasma to aid in tooth repositioning after pathologic tooth migration. A 25-year-old woman presented with extrusion and labial migration of the maxillary left central incisor, a diastema of 3 mm, and grade II mobility. Radiographic evaluation showed a deep, angular bone defect, extending to the apical third of the root, on both the mesial and distal aspects of the maxillary left central incisor. Comprehensive treatment consisted of nonsurgical and surgical periodontal therapy with autologous platelet-rich plasma. Without orthodontic intervention, the unesthetic diastema had completely closed by the end of 3 months postoperatively, and the results were stable at a 3-year follow-up examination. This successful, novel approach can be adopted as a conservative and time-efficient modality for management of unesthetic spaces caused by pathologic tooth migration.

The dental morphology usually determines the shape and volume of the interdental space, which must be filled by a dense connective tissue covered by oral epithelium to achieve pleasant esthetics. When composite resin restorations are placed to solve esthetic problems, the restorative procedure must be designed to allow the formation of healthy interdental papilla. This case report discusses aspects that should be considered when composite resin restorations are proposed for diastema closure. A 23-year-old man sought treatment for variations of space in the anterior dentition after orthodontic treatment. Direct composite resin restorations were placed in a way that respected the emergence profile, even though "black triangles" were evident immediately after the procedure. At the 45-day follow-up, complete closure of the interdental spaces by healthy papillae was observed. The emergence profile should be identified and respected when restorations are placed to obtain diastema closure because healthy periodontal tissues and acceptable esthetics depend on it.

The maxillary labial frenum is a normal anatomical structure in the oral cavity. An abnormal labial frenum causes localized gingival recession and midline diastema, both of which can interfere with oral hygiene procedures, and eventually affect esthetics. When the frenum maintains its high papillary attachment, frenectomy is the treatment of choice. Though this technique has undergone many modifications, the zone of attachment and esthetics in the anterior maxillary region have been neglected. This article highlights a new frenectomy technique that results in good esthetics, excellent color match, gain in attached gingiva, and healing by primary intention at the site of thick, extensive abnormal frena.

Anterior diastemata and discolored teeth may interfere with the harmony of a person's smile. This article presents a case involving multidisciplinary intervention for esthetic treatment utilizing integrated microabrasion, dental bleaching, and restorative solutions. The relevant aspects of etiology and treatment planning are discussed.

To achieve the benefits that composite restorations can provide, it is incumbent on dentists to understand the importance of proper finishing and polishing techniques and how to incorporate them appropriately into everyday practice. A smooth surface finish is clinically necessary because the presence of surface irregularities from poor finishing and polishing can lead to staining, plaque retention, gingival irritation, recurrent caries, abrasiveness, wear kinetics, and tactile perception by the patient. However, finishing and polishing procedures for direct composite restorations are technique- and material-sensitive. This article describes the proper composite material placement considerations, as well as finishing and polishing techniques and materials, for providing highly esthetic, long-lasting restorations. By incorporating such protocol into their everyday practices, dentists can increase the long-term esthetic and plaque-resistant predictability of direct composite restorations.

This article describes an interdisciplinary (orthodontic and prosthodontic) approach for treating a 28-year-old woman who had multiple maxillary anterior diastemas, insufficient lip support, and inadequate anterior guidance. Although the patient also had diastemas among her mandibular anterior teeth, she declined orthodontic or restorative treatment for this arch. Initially, ceramic orthodontic brackets and polytetrafluoroethylene-coated arch wires were used. Orthodontic treatment involved leveling and aligning the maxillary dental arch, correcting the incisor angulations, and providing appropriate spaces for prosthetic restoration. After orthodontic treatment, IPS Empress 2 crowns were delivered to the six maxillary anterior teeth. This interdisciplinary approach produced a successful outcome and improved esthetics. The patient remained satisfied at the three-year follow-up examination.

Anterior tooth replacement has always posed an esthetic challenge for dentists. A multidisciplinary approach makes it possible to provide patients with esthetics and function. Treatment planning should involve other specialists when clinicians are faced with the additional esthetic concerns of the patient (such as anterior spatial anomalies and esthetically unpleasant existing restorations). Metal-ceramic fixed partial dentures have been used to allow the replacement of missing teeth for many years, providing both strength and esthetics. Several other options also are available, including implant placement. Dental implants in the esthetic zone are well-documented in the literature; numerous controlled clinical trials have shown overall implant survival and success rates. This article illustrates a step-by-step analysis and treatment option for a single-tooth replacement and maxillary anterior spatial dilemma using Captek crowns.

When a tooth is extracted, the interproximal papilla recedes and the buccal bone collapses; as a result, restoring an edentulous space in the esthetic zone becomes a challenge. Various surgical reconstructions can be performed with different levels of risk and predictability. This article examines three nonsurgical approaches utilized to manage the same problem. One option involves placing a temporary bridge with an ovate pontic at the time of extraction to support the proximal papillae, the facial soft tissue, and the healing gingival tissue. If some time has passed since the extraction, the soft tissue can be sculpted with radiosurgery (or a laser) before an ovate pontic is used. In some instances, tissue-colored porcelain may help to achieve optimal esthetics.

Patients have many restorative options for changing the appearance of their teeth. The most conservative restorative treatments for changing the appearance of teeth include tooth bleaching, direct composite resin veneers, and porcelain veneers. Patients seeking esthetic treatment should undergo a comprehensive clinical examination that includes an esthetic evaluation. When selecting a conservative treatment modality, the use of minimally invasive or no-preparation porcelain veneers should be considered. As with any treatment decision, the indications and contraindications must be considered before a definitive treatment plan is made. Long-term research has demonstrated a 94% survival rate for minimally invasive porcelain veneers. While conservation of tooth structure is important, so is selecting the right treatment modality for each patient based on clinical findings.

This article reports a clinical case involving an 8-year-old boy with two mesiodentes. The supernumerary teeth caused both a functional alteration (malocclusion) and an esthetic one (interincisal diastema), both of which affected his quality of living. Surgical removal of the supernumerary teeth and orthodontic follow-up was proposed, in agreement with the treatment established in the literature. This treatment produced satisfactory results in terms of both esthetics and functionality.

Treating diastemata in the anterior esthetic zone is a challenge; many factors must be considered when developing a treatment plan for such patients. This case report demonstrates how excellent results may be obtained using a multidisciplinary approach.

In mixed and early permanent dentitions, median diastema can be a major esthetic concern for patients and/or their parents. The space can be transient or created by developmental, pathological, or iatrogenic factors. Different treatment techniques have been proposed to manage the situation. This paper reviews the common causes of median diastema and presents four cases to illustrate a range of restorative and orthodontic options.

Esthetic restoration of the maxillary anterior dentition often requires an integrated perio-restorative team approach. Careful attention to treatment planning and treatment sequencing is essential in ensuring a desirable outcome and a satisfied patient. Detailed measurements, diagnostic wax-ups, surgical mock-ups, and stents all are effective communication tools which can be used to enhance interdisciplinary communication. These concepts and treatment modalities are illustrated in this case report.

This article reviews the role of the maxillary frenum in diastema formation and provides guidance on procedures to remove it in both dentate and edentate patients.