Resin composite palatal veneers for anterior teeth: A systematized review of clinical performance

Dental wear of anterior teeth may compromise aesthetics, function, and occlusal stability. Resin composite palatal veneers have been proposed as a minimally invasive and repairable option for restoring worn palatal surfaces. This systematized review evaluated their clinical performance by distinguishing restoration survival from clinical success.

Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and SciELO (August-October 2024). Clinical trials, observational studies, and case series evaluating direct or indirect resin composite palatal veneers, used alone or as part of a rehabilitation approach, were included. Studies assessing exclusively non-composite materials were excluded. Data on study design, sample characteristics, follow-up duration, and outcomes were qualitatively synthesized due to methodological heterogeneity.

Seven studies with 1,532 restorations in 306 patients included one randomized clinical trial, one prospective non-controlled study, two observational studies, and three case series, with follow-up from 5 months to 8 years. Survival rates ranged from 93.8% to 100%, and failure rates ranged from 0.5% to 1.8%. Outcomes included technical issues such as wear, discoloration, marginal defects, and biological issues such as gingival inflammation. Most complications were minor and repairable; catastrophic failures were rare.

Resin composite palatal veneers show favorable medium-term survival. However, survival should not be equated with clinical success, as technical and biological complications may occur without restoration loss. Given the limited long-term and standardized evidence, further prospective studies are required.

Resin composite palatal veneers offer a comprehensive rehabilitation strategy via a conservative and repairable approach for restoring worn palatal surfaces.