Objective
Emergence profile design is important for stable peri‐implant tissues and esthetically pleasing results with dental implant restorations, influenced by factors, such as, implant position and surrounding soft tissues. Different aspects of the emergence profile have been described, but detailed explanations of the different zones and corresponding designs are missing. This article describes the esthetic biological contour concept (EBC), differentiating important areas of the emergence profile and recommending particular designs for those zones.
Overview
The EBC concept considers specific parameters for proper design of the emergence profile of implant‐supported restorations. Understanding the different zones of the emergence profile and their relation to factors like implant position, implant design, and soft tissue thickness is key. The suggested guidelines are geared toward providing more stable and esthetic results when restoring dental implants in the esthetic zone.
Conclusions
Each of the zones described in the EBC concept have a specific function in the design of the emergence profile. Understanding the importance and specific design features of the EBC zones facilitates esthetic and biologically sound treatment outcomes with interim and definitive implant restorations.
Clinical significance
Proper emergence profile design supports esthetic outcomes and provides favorable biological response to implant‐supported restorations.
Objective
There are multiple treatment options to enhance a patient's smile, from conservative bleaching procedures to composite resins, porcelain veneers, or full‐coverage crowns. Treating patients with porcelain veneers is a commonly used approach in esthetic dentistry. Provisional restorations for veneers can be time‐consuming to make and difficult to retain. This article illustrates a technique for fabricating indirect snap‐on provisional restorations for veneer cases, describing both analog and digital approaches.
Clinical considerations
The present article presents an alternative provisionalization technique using snap‐on restorations for dental veneers. Application of these techniques will allow for ease of cleansability by the patient leading to healthier soft tissues before the final cementation. Delivery of veneers is more predictable with healthy soft tissue, as bleeding and inflammation may affect the bonding process.
Conclusions
This technique is an effective provisionalization option in most veneer cases. This approach seems to be well accepted by patients and a good alternative in helping to maintain optimal gingival health with interim restorations before delivery.
Clinical significance
The use of snap‐on provisionals for veneer restorations will allow the clinician to have an efficient technique with better tissue response before cementation. This prevents inflammation and facilitates a controlled delivery process.
Objective: Fixed dental prostheses are a predictable treatment option to replace missing teeth. A periodontal-prosthodontic approach to rehabilitating those areas ensures a predictable way to achieve the desired esthetic and functional results. This is especially important in cases with high esthetic demand. An ideal esthetic result can be achieved by soft tissue overcorrection through periodontal procedures, which reduce the number of conditioning appointments of the pontic sites.Many pontic designs have been described to enhance the appearance of the restored sites. The flat (F) and step (S) pontic designs are a modification of classic pontic approaches.These designs contact the mucosa in a wide area of a previously reconstructed ridge without exerting excessive pressure, reducing the possibility of inflammation, ulceration, and facilitating cleaning. This periodontal-prosthodontic procedure aims to achieve functional and esthetic prosthodontic results in a predictable manner.Clinical Considerations: Understanding which pontic design is recommended in different clinical situations is key for a successful outcome. The F and S pontic designs are recommended to be used in a ridge with optimal soft tissue volume after periodontal reconstruction. The suggested designs provide the clinician with a solution to different clinical scenarios after the periodontal augmentation of the pontic site has been done.
Conclusions:The presented pontic designs are indicated in ridges where a previous soft tissue preservation or reconstruction procedure has been done to achieve an optimal soft tissue volume. Modifications to the designs can be done in the interim stage which is later replicated into the final restoration.Clinical Significance: The combination of periodontal and prosthodontic techniques help to predictably achieve a natural looking pontic emergence profile.
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