Whitening
Frequently asked questions about vital tooth whitening
Tooth colour is determined by a combination of the different optical properties of enamel, dentine and pulp. Tooth discolorations vary in aetiology,...
Relating aesthetics to clinical need: improved aesthetics of an ill-fitting crown and anterior toothwear
A 42-year-old female patient was referred, complaining that she was unhappy about the appearance of her anterior teeth, notably an unsightly crown on...
Tooth decorations and modifications – current trends and clinical implications
‘Intentional tooth modification’ or ‘tooth decoration’ refers to the process of deliberately changing or altering natural tooth tissue for reasons...
Composite edge bonding – the reverse triangle technique
This particular technique utilizes the properties3 of nano-hybrid composites, such as Venus Pearl and Diamond (Heraeus Kulzer, Newbury, UK), to create...
Management of opacities in children and adolescents
Amelogenesis is a complex process which involves three stages:.
Worn down by toothwear? aetiology, diagnosis and management revisited
Toothwear can be defined as ‘the loss of tooth substance by means other than caries or dental trauma’. Tooth surface loss (TSL) is an alternative term...
4. Diffuse brown discoloration of permanent dentition
c) Tetracycline staining is the cause here. Tetracycline given in pregnant mothers or in children <8 years old causes a diffuse discoloration in...
Management of the single discoloured tooth part 2: restorative options
This is the direct application of a thin film of composite over the entire labial aspect of a tooth in order to modify the contour and/or shade. As...
Management of the single discoloured tooth part 1: aetiology, prevention and minimally invasive restorative options
Establishing a correct diagnosis for the cause of the tooth discoloration is important since, invariably, it has a profound effect on the selection of...
Dental fluorosis in the paediatric patient
It is recommended that daily intake of fluoride should not exceed 0.05–0.07 mg F/Kg/Day. Regular intake above these levels increases the likelihood of...
Dentine hypersensitivity – guidelines for the management of a common oral health problem
Dentine hypersensitivity has been defined as a short, sharp pain arising from exposed dentine in response to stimuli, typically thermal, evaporative,...
Factors to consider when treatment planning for patients seeking comprehensive aesthetic dental treatment
The first and most important step for both clinician and patient is the detailed investigation of why the patient is unhappy with his/her dental...
Decision-making in the provision of extra-coronal restorations
When considering restorations for teeth that have suffered significant tissue loss, the decision faced by the dentist may be either to place a large...
Making sense of sensitivity
Dentine is a naturally sensitive tissue. When an otherwise harmless stimulus contacts freshly cut dentine, pain may be experienced. Historically,...
Direct anterior composites: a practical guide
A complex range of interrelated factors combine to determine the overall aesthetic properties of each individual patient's smile. Principles of ‘smile...