Composite resin veneers have gained popularity due to their affordability and minimally invasive application as biomimetic restorations. However, long-term clinical challenges, such as discoloration, wear, and reduced fracture resistance, necessitate their replacement over time. Ceramic veneers, particularly feldspathic and lithium disilicate, offer superior esthetics and durability, as demonstrated by studies showing their high survival rates and enamel-preserving preparation designs. However, while ceramic veneers survive longer than composite resin veneers, ceramic veneers may need to be removed and replaced. Reports vary for using Er:YAG (erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) lasers for the removal of existing veneers. A review was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of removing restorative materials with an Er:YAG laser. A clinical study was included, highlighting the conservative removal of aged composite resin veneers using the Er:YAG laser. This method minimizes enamel damage and facilitates efficient debonding. Following laser application, minimally invasive tooth preparation was performed, and feldspathic porcelain veneers were bonded. The review showed positive outcomes whenever the Er:YAG laser was used. In the case study, after a 3-year follow-up, the restorations exhibited optimal function and esthetics. Conclusions: Laser-assisted debonding provides a safe and predictable method for replacing failing composite veneers with ceramic alternatives, aligning with contemporary biomimetic principles.
Biomimetics, 2025. Link here |
This case report outlines the clinical workflows for immediate implant placement for both maxillary central incisors and ceramic laminate veneers for the remaining teeth in the smile zone. Clinical and CBCT evaluations determined that the maxillary central incisors were non-restorable, while the lateral incisors and canines showed signs of incisal wear. Atraumatic extractions were performed for the central incisors, and immediate implants were placed with a 3D-printed surgical guide in conjunction with an autogenous soft tissue grafting procedure. Once the soft tissue between the central incisors was contoured with provisional implant restorations, minimally invasive veneer preparations were performed for porcelain laminate veneers. Final restorations were bonded under dental dam isolation. Single immediate implants for maxillary central incisors can be successfully paired with ceramic laminate veneers on adjacent teeth in the smile zone to replace non-restorable teeth in the esthetic zone. Atraumatic tooth extraction, 3D implant planning with grafting procedures, and minimally invasive ceramic veneers can help in meeting patients’ esthetic and functional expectations. Total isolation using a dental dam maximizes the bonding performance of ceramic restorations.
Biomimetics, 2025. Link here |
This case report features a female patient with the chief complaint of needing to replace an anterior crown. After a comprehensive oral assessment and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) radiographic examination, it was determined that the crown on Tooth #9 was subgingivally fractured. The procedure involved atraumatic extraction of Tooth #9, followed by immediate implant placement. Xenograft bone graft material was placed to complete the space between the buccal bone and the implant. A connective tissue graft (CTG), 1 mm thick and 5 mm wide, was harvested from the palate and placed. The final implant crown was restored using a prefabricated abutment with a titanium base and zirconia ceramic dental material. A well-planned combined treatment, including atraumatic tooth extractions for immediate implants and ideal contouring of soft tissues, can significantly impact the outcome of aesthetic restorations. A single immediate implant-supported crown in the aesthetic zone was able to fulfill the patient’s aesthetic expectations at the 2-year follow-up.
Case Reports in Dentistry, 2024. Link here |
This case report describes a digital workflow for designing and 3D printing a guide with the dual purpose of gingivectomy and tooth preparation in the esthetic zone, to be followed by cementation of ceramic veneers under rubber dam isolation.The patient’s primary concern was to improve her smile. After clinical evaluation, our recommendation was for a minimal gingivectomy to match the gingival zenith for both central incisors, to be followed by ceramic laminate veneers. A digitally designed and 3D printed guide was used for gingivectomy and tooth preparation for the ceramic veneers. Ceramic veneers were cemented under rubber dam isolation to maximize bonding properties. A single guide can be digitally designed and 3D printed to perform controlled gingivectomy and minimally invasive tooth preparations. The outcome of the gingivectomy improved the gingival architecture for central incisors, and the ceramic veneers fulfilled the patient’s esthetic demands.
Operative Dentistry, 2024. Link here |

This report describes multidisciplinary care combining orthodontics and restorative dentistry for a patient with Class II occlusion and stained mandibular and maxillary resin composite veneers. The orthodontic treatment improved severe overjet and malocclusion prior to restorative care. Occlusal assessment was provided with a novel digital device (PlaneSystem, Zirkonzahn) that is integrated with digital workflows for the evaluation of the occlusal plane and condylar path inclination. Diagnostic digital impressions and digital wax-up for intraoral mock-ups led to the patient’s treatment acceptance. Minimally invasive tooth preparation, final digital impressions, and bonding under dental dam isolation fulfilled the patient’s esthetic and functional demands with all-ceramic restorations.
Dentistry Journal, 2024. Link here
Dentistry Journal, 2024. Link here
This report describes a technique integrating facial and dental scanners for treatment planning and execution of a tooth-borne full-mouth reconstruction (FMR) with zirconia fixed prostheses. An intraoral scan (IoS) for both arches and facial scans collected the initial clinical situation. A digital diagnostic wax-up was generated as part of the treatment plan, and the models were printed. The intervention included crown lengthening of the maxillary teeth aided by a printed guide, installing milled provisional restorations, and delivering permanent milled zirconia partialrestorations, single crowns (SCs), and fixed dental prostheses (FDPs). The functional extraoral scanner permitted designing an FMR that created a harmonious dental, gingival, and facial relationship with the patient’s esthetic consent approval. IoS captured the initial clinical situation to design (CAD) and fabricate (CAM) the PMMA provisional and zirconia final partial restorations, SCs, and FDPs.
Applied Sciences, 2023. Link here |
This case report describes a novel design (CAD) for an additive computer-aided manufactured (a-CAM) tooth reduction guide with channels that permitted access for the preparation and evaluation of the reduction with the same guide. The guide features innovative vertical and horizontal channels that permit comprehensive access for preparation and evaluation of the reduction with a periodontal probe, ensuring uniformtooth reduction and avoiding overpreparation. This approach was successfully applied to a female patient with non carious lesions and white spot lesions, resulting in minimally invasive tooth preparations and hand-crafted laminate veneer restorations that met the patient’s aesthetic demands while preserving tooth structure.
Journal of Functional Biomaterials, 2023. Link here |
This clinical report describes the combination of minimally invasive and non-preparation ceramic laminate veneers in the esthetic zone with a 6 year follow-up to replace stained resin composite veneers on both maxillary central incisors. The 6 year follow up showed stained composite veneers can successfully be replaced with minimally invasive and non-prepared ceramic veneers to fulfill the patient’s esthetics concerns. Overall, well-planned and executed restorative procedures combining minimal preparation and non-preparations for ceramic laminate veneers can achieve esthetically pleasing outcomes and maximize tooth structure preservation in the maxillary anterior region.
International Journal of Esthetic Dentistry, 2023. Link here |
Partial veneers and whitening are a conservative treatment option for restoring chipped direct restorations in the esthetic zone. Here, we show minimal tooth preparation paired with partial ceramic veneers and whitening without degradation of the esthetic outcomes at a 5 year follow-up.
Operative Dentistry, 2023. Link here |
This report describes the importance of and outlines steps for additive wax-up and diagnostic mockup for anterior teeth as diagnostic and driving tools for non-prep and minimally invasive veneer preparations. Overall, additive wax-up provides information needed to know if minimally invasive veneer preparations are possible, and the diagnostic mockup displays a physical, tentative outcome for the patient’s evaluation before irreversible tooth preparations. These simple, but effective, techniques can drive the diagnosis and prognosis of minimally invasive veneer restorations.
Cureus, 2022. Link here |
There is concern that differences in the compositions of materials used to simultaneously treat existing resin composites and dental fluorosis may negatively affect the esthetic quality over time. This report shows a technique in which no esthetic deterioration is observed over five years.
Operative Dentistry, 2022. Link here |
This report describes a minimally invasive multidisciplinary approach to a single discolored anterior tooth, with internal bleaching using traditional Japanese paper (washi), a gingivectomy with a 3-dimensional (3D) printed surgical guide, and ultra-thin ceramic veneers. After clinical evaluation, internal tooth bleaching for the discolored tooth, and gingivectomy with restorations of the maxillary anterior six front teeth and first premolars were recommended. Once the tooth bleaching was completed, the 3D printed surgical guide was placed in the patient’s maxillary anterior region and used to guide the soft tissue re-contouring. After six months, ultra-thin feldspathic porcelain veneers were provided.
Operative Dentistry, 2021. Link here |
The combination of partial edentulism and a worn anterior tooth in the esthetic zone can be a challenge for the dentist. This clinical situation requires extensive knowledge of soft and hard tissue management, surgical planning and execution for implant therapy, and conservative tooth preparation with ideal bonding protocols for the tooth-supported prosthesis. Moreover, an optimal selection of the final restorative materials is imperative to manage occlusal forces and fulfill the patient’s esthetic demands.
International Journal of Esthetic Dentistry, 2020. Link here |
This case report demonstrates a method for feldspathic veneers with diagnostic wax-ups, subsequent mock-up, and reduction guides and how these can lead to good patient esthetics at a 5-year follow up. This case report shows a 5-year follow-up of feldspathic veneer restorations for a patient with excessive space between teeth, defective composite restorations on facial and incisal surfaces, and worn teeth. Veneers were delivered with conservative tooth preparation combining different tooth reduction guides.
The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice, 2021. Link here |
The in-office whitening agent (Opalesence Boost 35%) was used in this study. Two whitening regimens were evaluated on maxillary anterior teeth: 1) with light irradiation; and 2) without light irradiation. The ΔE*, changes of L*, a*, b*, and the best shade match on the central incisor before, immediately after, and 6-month after whitening procedures were evaluated using a dental spectrometer. The results of this study suggested that the in-office whitening agent using 35% hydrogen peroxide without photo catalysts can improve tooth color with or without light irradiation for 6 months after whitening.
American Journal of Dentistry, 2021. Link here |
It has been well documented that uncontaminated ground enamel provides the most predictable substrate for the bonding of ceramic veneers, and thus conservative tooth preparation with complete isolation using a rubber dam are key to the success of the restorations. Rubber dam isolation provides several advantages to the clinician, such as preventing contamination of the working field by saliva, blood and sulcular fluids, and improving direct visibility. However, it may be a challenge to the younger clinician to properly isolate teeth prior to bonding ceramic veneers. The present article demonstrates the sequence and some clinical tips for a case in which the rubber dam is placed from one second premolar to the opposite second premolar and held with clamps, the rubber dam is gently invaginated into the sulcus, and clamps are selected and placed on each tooth to create an ideal situation for the adhesion of the ceramic veneer.
Cureus, 2021. Link here |
Hypodontia is a common developmental problem of human dentition. The treatment of missing maxillary central incisors is always a challenging task, often requiring a multidisciplinary approach. Critical analysis of the treatment plan through cooperation among specialists is required to obtain the ideal result. Orthodontic treatment may be necessary to close or gain more space, followed by implant placement and restorative treatment. It is important to create the treatment plan through a multidisciplinary approach involving orthodontists, surgeons, and restorative specialists before initiating treatment, This case report describes such a multidisciplinary approach for a female patient with congenitally missing maxillary central incisors and class II division 1 occlusion.
Cureus, 2022. Link here |
Post and core fabrication are key factors in the restoration of endodontically treated teeth. Teeth with endodontic treatment have commonly experienced significant coronal and radicular dentin destruction, thus preserving all the remaining tooth structure is imperative to improve the prognosis of the restorative treatment. Core height and width need to be carefully designed and built in order to receive the final restoration. Direct free-hand resin composite core build-up in increments may be a challenging and time consuming procedure. This case report describes a clinical technique using a clear matrix to receive injections of a low viscosity bulk-fill resin composite in order to achieve an ideal shape and core size.
International Journal of Esthetic Dentistry, 2020. Link here |
The clinical report describes a three-dimensional (3D) printed coping for intraoral evaluation before milling final anterior restorations. The use of printed copings allows restorations for complex and esthetically important restorations to be thoroughly tested at relatively low cost without introducing large delays into the fabrication process
Quintessence International, 2019. Link here |
Esthetic rehabilitation of a maxillary central incisor using a dental implant can be a challenging task. The hard and soft tissues must be managed in a way that minimizes the risk of tissue loss, while preserving and/or regenerating full interdental papillae. In addition, advances in restorative materials for implants have led to the introduction of translucent zirconia that can be synergistically combined with zirconia custom abutments. This case report describes implant therapy with monolithic translucent zirconia restorations in the esthetic zone. In this implant therapy, an adequate pink esthetics can be achieved by delayed titanium implant placement with guided bond regeneration. Monolithic translucent zirconia restorations with zirconia custom abutments provide predictable esthetic results.
General Dentistry, 2019. Link here |