Esthetic Smile Enhancement With Direct Composite Overmolding

An indirect restorative approach would necessitate the removal of sound tooth structure due to the path of draw and insertion. Alternatively, a direct restorative method would be the most conservative, but it would be challenging to camouflage the large cuspids to simulate smaller lateral incisors without removing tooth structure. This case was treated using a monolithic direct composite overmolding approach to add volume to the teeth and change the proportions of the patient's smile. The method used an extension of the "snow plough" technique, in which warmed flowable composite was used to wet the tooth and constricted areas then further adapted with warmed regular composite. The effect of injecting two viscosities of composite around a tooth is similar to the effect of crown and bridge impression techniques involving two viscosities of vinyl polysiloxane impression materials. The result is a highly polished monolithic restoration with the potential for improved longevity regarding wear and esthetics.

JIHYON KIM, DDS
Director
Injection Overmolding Institute
Seattle, Washington
Private Practice
Seattle, Washington