Veneer tooth preparation utilizing a novel digital designed workflow: A case report

This article describes a technique to implement guided tooth preparation where the tooth is virtually prepared in the laboratory and preparation templates are created for chairside use.

Prior to any tooth preparation, patient records are acquired with an intra-oral scanner, both stump and final shades are selected, and digital photos are taken. These digital records are used in combination with digital laboratory tools to do the virtual preparation first, and then to provide chairside templates for guided tooth preparation.

The traditional approach of tooth preparation has evolved from historically preparing a tooth without any pretreatment guidance to, more currently, preparing the tooth through a mock-up of the desired final restoration. The outcome of these traditional approaches is highly dependent on the operator's skills to produce a successful outcome, and often resulted in more tooth structure removal than necessary. However, CAD/CAM technology now offers a guided tooth approach to tooth preparation which minimizes tooth structure removal and provides an advantage to the beginner dentist.

This is a unique approach in digital restorative dentistry.