Light protection of fiber-reinforced strip using aluminum foil for the direct splinting technique.

The critical point of the clinical procedure of direct splinting is the placement of the fiber-reinforced strip, which has to be well adapted to tooth surfaces. This article describes the use of aluminum foil to cover and protect the fiber-reinforced strip from light polymerization during the direct splinting technique. The advantage of using aluminum foil is to prevent premature curing of the fiber-reinforced strip, which would necessitate repetition of the procedure. With this technique, the strip is gradually exposed and adapted to the lingual/palatal surfaces of the teeth and light cured, allowing for ample working time.