Direct laminate veneers with resin composites: two case reports with five-year follow-ups

The aim of this report is to present five-year follow-ups of two different applications for the use of direct laminate resin-based composite veneers to improve esthetics.

Defects in the maxillary anterior teeth, such as enamel hypoplasia and peg lateral, can present esthetic challenges. Furthermore, a treatment plan that can be completed in a single appointment is highly desirable. This case report presents two different clinical cases involving the use of direct laminate resin-based composite veneers with five-year follow-ups.

Case 1: A 17-year-old female patient was referred for treatment of her anterior teeth, which were unesthetically altered due to enamel hypoplasia and dental caries. A treatment plan was developed that included restoring the affected teeth with direct resin-based composite laminate veneers to improve the patient's appearance. The six maxillary anterior teeth were prepared for and restored with direct resin-based composite laminate veneers. At the five-year follow-up, the patient was satisfied with the restorations both esthetically and functionally. Case 2: A 15-year-old female patient also was referred for treatment to improve the appearance of her maxillary anterior teeth. A treatment plan was developed with two objectives: (1) to restore the undersized supernumerary crown in the area of the maxillary right lateral incisor and (2) to close the anterior diastemas. The facial surfaces were conservatively prepared and resin-based composite was applied with the aid of transparent crown forms. After completion of the treatment, the patient was recalled at six-month intervals. At the five-year follow-up appointment, the restorations were intact, no adverse effects were noted, and the resultant appearance was highly satisfactory for the patient.

The use of direct resin-based composite laminate veneers and adhesive bonding systems has been shown to provide an esthetic alternative to metal-ceramic or all-ceramic crowns for the rehabilitation of anterior teeth. This treatment option offers another advantage, namely a lower cost compared to an indirect technique. Other more complex and costly treatment options in the future are not ruled out.

In the present two cases, the initial and five-year follow-up results support the use of direct resin-based composite laminate veneers with minimal altering of healthy tooth structure. Such results should encourage clinicians to seek a cost-effective technique such as direct resin restorations to improve a patient's esthetic appearance in a single appointment.