No abstract

PRACTICE• Highlights the rise of clinical guidelines in dentistry.• Explores the purpose of guidelines.• Provides advice on how guidelines should be used.• Gives examples of useful guidelines and where these may be found.

Toothwear may have a multifactorial aetiology but is often localized to the upper anterior teeth. This is normally accompanied by a loss of interocclusal space. This paper aims to outline the management of localized anterior toothwear. It discusses several options available to create space for anterior restoration, with particular reference to the use of the 'Dahl' technique. Dahl described a non-invasive technique to create increased interocclusal space. The increased space eliminates the need for further occlusal reduction during crown preparation which is ideal in the worn dentition. This paper illustrates and describes the clinical applications of Dahl's original technique.

Knowledge of crown lengthening techniques, and where these might be prescribed, may be a useful addition to practitioners' treatment planning options, or to decide when referral may be more appropriate.

To make the dental practitioner aware of the different surgical modalities available for the treatment of gingival recession and improve his/her ability to identify patients who might benefit from them.