Restoring esthetics and anterior guidance in worn anterior teeth. A conservative multidisciplinary approach

BACKGROUND: Developments in adhesive dentistry have given the dental profession new restorative materials and technology to restore esthetics and function to the worn anterior dentition. This article illustrates, through a clinical case study, the clinical requirements for restoring esthetic harmony and functional stability to the worn anterior dentition. CASE DESCRIPTION: The author presents the case of a 24-year-old man who sought esthetic dental treatment because he was unhappy with the appearance of his maxillary anterior teeth. The review of his dental history revealed that he ground his teeth at night. The author performed a complete evaluation of the causes of the patient's bruxism and created a diagnostic preview to, among other things, develop the relationship between the condylar and anterior guidance and to establish the esthetic requirements for the final restorations. Treatment included periodontal recontouring, tooth preparation and placement of temporary and then permanent restorations; the patient also was given an occlusal guard to protect the restorations against future bruxing. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Whatever the cause of occlusal instability, it is important that the restorative dentist be able to recognize its signs--such as tooth hypermobility, tooth wear, periodontal breakdown, occlusal dimpling, stress fractures, exostosis, muscle enlargement and loss of posterior disclusion. When restoring the worn dentition, the clinician should bear in mind the five P's: proper planning prevents poor performance.