Conventional and Digital Workflow Planning for Maxillary Teeth Restoration with Porcelain Laminate Veneers: A Clinical Report

Abstract

Nowadays, media-influenced patients have the desire to “extremely rapidly” alter their teeth to “ideal” and “too bright” ones. Although some esthetically demanding cases need to be thoroughly planned and treated through prolonged phases, other cases can be handled quickly. In such cases, we can witness the impact of many computer software programs for digital smile design that have penetrated clinical practice. This clinical report describes a conventional and digital step-by-step treatment workflow for restoring anterior maxillary teeth with porcelain laminate veneers. Two digital smile design software (GPS and Nemo DSD 3D) were utilized and compared with the conventional workflow. Feldspathic veneers were chosen for their superior optical properties. Case complexity and operator’s experience played a significant role in the selection between the conventional and digital workflow. The advanced digital programs, while having many advantages, are not necessarily superior to the traditional technique. The digital smile design programs used in this case demonstrated an effective and predictable workflow. They can achieve comprehensive digital smile design with a satisfactory esthetic outcome, yet the conventional workflow gave conservative and esthetically pleasing results.

Mapping the Landscape of the Digital Workflow of Esthetic Veneers from Design to Cementation: A Systematic Review

“…Additionally, transferring data from the virtual design to the stone model poses challenges and opportunities for potential error [17]. Alshali and Asali (2022) showed that digital smile design using two different software packages and feldspathic porcelain for restoring anterior maxillary teeth with porcelain laminate veneers demonstrates an effective and predictable workflow, leading to adequate esthetic results as compared to the conventional workflow [24]. The significance of this particular case is that the authors and patient agreed that the conventional technique yielded better results.…”

The influence of different tooth proportions obtained using digital smile design on the perception of smile esthetics

“…When using traditional prosthetic dental treatment methods to provide smile esthetics, communication between the patient and the clinician is limited, and the results depend on the laboratory process. 1 Today, the development of digital technologies allows the clinician to analyze the patient's current situation and digitally design the smile to be made and visualize the results in advance. In this way, the communication between the patient and the clinician improves, and the results of the prepared smile design become more predictable.…”

“…In this way, the communication between the patient and the clinician improves, and the results of the prepared smile design become more predictable. 1,2 The dominant components that make up the smile are the upper anterior incisors. After that, the gums, lips and other facial structures form the components of the smile.…”

“…Today, the development of digital technologies allows the clinician to analyze the patient's current situation and digitally design the smile to be made and visualize the results in advance. In this way, the communication between the patient and the clinician improves, and the results of the prepared smile design become more predictable 1,2 …”