A step-by-step technique to create an ideal color match, form, and surface texture to all-ceramic restorations

Although the presence of a chairside CAD/CAM system in the dental office saves time and cost, it deprives the dentist from the dental technologist' skills and experience. The dentist now has to gain and acquire knowledge and skills about how to finish, characterize, stain, and glaze ceramic restorations. The main objectives of this article is to teach novel and reproducible techniques for surface color, texture, glaze and polish for either the chairside or laboratory fabricated indirect ceramic restoration.

A protocol for intraoral characterization of monolithic ceramics; the "Triple R" protocol for tooth color mimicking was followed. It consist of three steps: (1) "Recognize" tooth color shapes, (2) "Record" the present color shapes in the patient dentition by drawing a color map for the color shapes extension and determine which luster paste stain to be used for replicating them, and (3) "Replicate" intraorally the recorded color shapes guided by the adjacent natural teeth using low fusing ceramic pastes (shades and stains) for color shape replication. Also, the final touch technique was followed to shape, texture and final surface finish of dental restorations. It is composed of 5 basic levels which we call dental "micro-esthetics that define shape, texture, and surface luster.

Following the steps of both; the "Triple R" protocol and the "FINAL TOUCH" technique will help to reproduce the final shade of the restoration to create the illusion of a natural tooth to the observer.

This article shows how combining two practical methodologies to record and replicate both color shapes and surface texture of natural teeth may extend mimicking, that is, step by step natural tooth shade beyond the limitations of the available commercial shade guides.