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SUMMARY The restoration of single discolored maxillary anterior teeth is still a difficult task, as not only shape and surface characterization play an important role in the success of the treatment, but the propagation of light throughout the restorative material does as well. In some cases, small changes in morphology, color, and brightness will be noticeable. These factors are sometimes very tricky, and shade guides alone are difficult to use for color selection. This article proposes a protocol of employing cross-polarization imaging for improving the accuracy of the shade selection of resin composites. The step-by-step technique is presented for the restoration of a single discolored tooth.

The purpose of this clinical case description article was to present the planning sequence, indication, treatment and performance to obtain a crown of the Endocrown type. This clinical case description article illustrates a therapeutic option for functional and esthetic rehabilitation of a devitalized mandibular molar, presenting a small amount of remaining coronal tooth structure, by means of cementing a pure porcelain crown of the Endocrown type (Adhesive Endodontic Crown). A 39-year-old woman presented to the Graduate clinic of the Bauru Dental School (FOB), University of São Paulo (USP), with the complaint that tooth #36 had an extensive and unsatisfactory composite resin restoration. The lithium disilicate-based system of monolithic porcelain was used with the lost wax technique. This therapy promoted the stability and retention of the indirect restoration, without the need for performing reconstruction of the above mentioned tooth, either by means of a cast metal core or reconstruction with intracanal post, thereby reducing the treatment time. After the tooth preparation, the provisional restoration was done with acrylic resin to determine if the retention and stability of the remaining tooth was adequate to receive the indirect Endocrown restoration. The characteristics of the internal and external walls of the dental remnants, cervical termination, impression-taking, laboratory stages and adhesive cementation will be discussed. The major advantage of indicating an endocrown is the use of the dental remnants itself, particularly the pulp chamber, to promote retention and stability in cases without adequate height for performing complete dental and crown reconstruction.KeywordsAdhesive endodontic crown; Devitalized tooth; Lithium dissilicate.

Interface integrity can be maintained by setting the composite in a layering technique and using liners. Objective The aim of this in vitro study was to verify the effect of resin-modified glass-ionomer cement (RMGIC) lining and composite layering technique on the bond strength of the dentin/resin adhesive interface of lateral walls of occlusal restorations. Material and Methods Occlusal cavities were prepared in 52 extracted sound human molars, randomly assigned into 4 groups: Group 2H (control) – no lining + two horizontal layers; Group 4O: no lining + four oblique layers; Group V-2H: RMGIC lining (Vitrebond) + two horizontal layers; and Group V-4O: RMGIC lining (Vitrebond) + four oblique layers. Resin composite (Filtek Z250, 3M ESPE) was placed after application of an adhesive system (Adper™ Single Bond 2, 3M ESPE) dyed with a fluorescent reagent (Rhodamine B) to allow confocal microscopy analysis. The teeth were stored in deionized water at 37oC for 24 hours before being sectioned into 0.8 mm slices. One slice of each tooth was randomly selected for Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) analysis. The other slices were sectioned into 0.8 mm x 0.8 mm sticks to microtensile bond strength test (MPa). Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Fisher’s test. Results There was no statistical difference on bond strength among groups (p>0.05). CLSM analysis showed no significant statistical difference regarding the presence of gap at the interface dentin/resin among groups. Conclusions RMGIC lining and composite layering techniques showed no effect on the microtensile bond strength and gap formation at the adhesive interface of lateral walls of high C-factor occlusal restorations.

Often, young patients (≤30 years old) present with carious lesions that progress acutely, compromising a large amount of tooth structure. In these cases, a treatment to prevent the occurrence of pulp exposure and promote remineralization of caries-affected dentin is necessary to maintain healthy dental structure and allow more conservative interventions. The approach will be different when pulp exposure occurs: The therapeutic treatments will be focused on reparative dentin formation and prevention of microorganisms penetrating the pulp organ. Due to the different possible treatments that can be performed to avoid pulp necrosis and the various materials that can be used for this purpose, professionals may have some difficulties understanding all the indications for conservative pulp treatments. The objective of this article is to describe and discuss a successful pulp capping and stepwise excavation associated with restorative treatment for deep caries lesions of anterior upper teeth.