SUMMARY Bonding to enamel has been shown to provide reliable results, and thus conservative tooth preparations are key to the success of ceramic bonded restorations. The wax-up is the first diagnostic tool available to evaluate discrepancies between current and ideal tooth proportions. The clinician's diagnostic mock-up provides the patient with a visual perception of the size and shape of the proposed restorations. The use of reduction guides assists the restorative dentist in evaluating the specific amount of tooth structure to be removed during preparation. Furthermore, total isolation with a rubber dam prior to bonding the final restorations is crucial for the success of adhesive protocols. The aim of this report is to demonstrate a conservative approach to tooth preparation with a complete isolation technique prior to bonding eight ceramic restorations.

Background and Objectives: The report describes a technique using a diagnostic mock-up as a crown-lengthening surgical guide to improve the gingival architecture. Materials and Methods: The patient’s primary concern was improving her smile due to her “gummy smile” and short clinical crowns. After clinical evaluation, surgical crown lengthening accompanied by maxillary central full-coverage single-unit prostheses and lateral incisor veneers was recommended. The diagnostic mock-up was placed in the patient’s maxillary anterior region and used as a soft tissue reduction guide for the gingivectomy. Once the planned gingival architecture was achieved, a flap was reflected to proceed with ostectomy in order to obtain an appropriate alveolar bone crest level using the overlay. After six months, all-ceramic crowns and porcelain veneers were provided as permanent restorations. Results: A diagnostic mock-up fabricated with a putty guide directly from the diagnostic wax-up can be an adequate surgical guide for crown-lengthening procedures. The diagnostic wax-up was used to fabricate the diagnostic mock-up. These results suggested that it can be used as a crown-lengthening surgical guide to modify the gingival architecture. Several advantages of the overlay used in the aesthetic complex case include: (1) providing a preview of potential restorative outcomes, (2) allowing for the appropriate positioning of gingival margins and the desired alveolar bone crest level for the crown-lengthening procedure, and (3) serving as a provisional restoration after surgery. Conclusions: The use of a diagnostic mock-up, which was based on a diagnostic wax-up, as the surgical guide resulted in successful crown lengthening and provisional restorations. Thus, a diagnostic overlay can be a viable option as a surgical guide for crown lengthening.

Dental trauma is a common reason for tissue loss. Rehabilitation options for fractured incisors depends on the injuries' characteristics. Restoring teeth in the esthetic area may represent a challenge; however, adhesive materials and ceramic restorations may present a healthful solution, because they offer minimally invasive properties and excellent esthetic appearances.

Digital technology is improving dentistry by manufacturing restorations faster and easier. Veneers can be handcrafted fabricated by the dental technician or designed by software and fabricated by a milling machine. Currently, there are many scanners available in the market that are clinically acceptable for the fabrication of restorations. However, there have been no clinical reports comparing the clinical protocols of the two most frequently used software programs in the market. The aim of this article is to show the digital workflow of the two most common systems for the fabrication of CAD/CAM veneers.