Versatility Without Compromise

After a 40-year-old man was diagnosed with a carious occlusal and buccal groove on tooth No. 31, he was anesthetized, and the tooth was prepared (Figure 1). The preparation was microabraded using an air abrasion unit (PrepStart^™, Zest Dental Solutions) with 37-μm aluminum oxide powder for disinfection and optimization of the adhesive protocol.¹ After a 15-second selective enamel etch² with 35% phosphoric acid solution (Ultra-Etch^™, Ultradent Products, Inc.) (Figure 2), a seventh generation single-step bonding agent (BeautiBond^®, Shofu Dental) was generously applied with a ballpoint applicator (Ball-Point Applicators^™, Kerr Dental) and carefully scrubbed over the dentin for 15 seconds (Figure 3). The solvent was then blown off using a warm air dryer (Warm Air Tooth Dryer, A-dec, Inc.),³ and the bonding agent was light cured for 20 seconds (Figure 4). Next, a nanohybrid composite resin (Beautifil^® II LS, Shofu Dental) was placed into the occlusal and buccal preparations, shaped, and light cured. This material was chosen because of its biomechanical properties, including a volumetric shrinkage of 0.85% and a polymerization shrinkage stress of 2.7 MPa.^4,5 These values result from the combination of a new, higher molecular weight monomer and a highly filled (ie, 83% by weight) matrix of prepolymerized glass.^4,5 These same surface pre-reacted glass particles are responsible for the active ion exchange of fluoride as well as five other ions, creating a bioactive environment to further reduce the potential for recurrent decay.^6,7 Initial finishing on the occlusal surface was accomplished with a football-shaped diamond bur (NeoDiamond 3923 VF, Microcopy), and the buccal surface was finished with a carbide bur (NeoBurr NB10-EF9, Microcopy). The final polish was achieved on both surfaces using only a silicone polishing point (Brownie Polishers, Shofu Dental) at 15,000 rpm with irrigation. The final restoration exhibited no white lines and felt very smooth to the patient (Figure 5).

A 20-year-old college student, who was also the son of a corporate dental executive, was referred for an emergency visit after fracturing tooth No. 9 at a campus event (Figure 6). Both the patient and his mother wanted an immediate esthetic solution. Because time was of the essence, the decision was made to place a direct composite restoration using a single shade option. The direct composite resin (Beautifil^® II LS [shade A1], Shofu Dental) was chosen for its ability to blend well with the natural surrounding tooth structure as well as its polishability and strength. After achieving local anesthesia with a 2% lidocaine with epinephrine solution, a lip and cheek retractor (OptraGate^®, Ivoclar Vivadent) was placed to prevent contamination and provide isolation. Next, the sharp edges from the fracture were smoothed with a diamond chamfer bur (NeoDiamond 1116.10, Microcopy), and the enamel and exposed dentin were air abraded (PrepStart^™, Zest Dental Solutions) with 37-μm aluminum oxide powder to provide disinfection and improve adhesion. The enamel was then selectively etched for 15 seconds and rinsed. A single-step bonding agent (BeautiBond^®, Shofu Dental) was applied to the dentin and enamel, and the material was scrubbed into the dentin with a ballpoint applicator for 15 seconds. After scrubbing, the solvent was blown off and the material was thinned using a warm air tooth dryer. Next, the adhesive was light cured for 20 seconds, and the A1 shade of the composite restorative was applied in two light-cured increments. Initial finishing was performed on the facial and interproximal surfaces with carbide burs (NeoBurr NB10-EF9 and NeoBurr EF9UF, Microcopy) and on the lingual surface with a football-shaped diamond bur (NeoDiamond 3923 VF, Microcopy). For most esthetic anterior composite restorations, final polish can be achieved by following a disk protocol (eg, Super-Snap X-Treme^™, Shofu Dental); however, due to the time constraints presented by this case, it was decided to achieve final polish using spiral-shaped polishing wheels (A.S.A.P.^® All Surface Access Polishers, Clinicians Choice) at 20,000 rpm. The patient was dismissed overwhelmed at our ability to provide such an esthetic result in such an efficient manner (Figure 7 and Figure 8).

Use of a universal nanohybrid composite resin provided an excellent outcome for the patients in these cases-one with high functional demands and the other with high esthetic demands. And considering the reasonable cost per application, composite resin technology not only provides excellent results, it also allows clinicians to increase profitability without compromising predictability.

Jeffrey W. Horowitz, DMD
Fellow
Academy of General Dentistry
Diplomate
American Sleep and Breathing Academy