The aesthetic composite anterior single crown restoration

Achieving natural aesthetics by harmoniously matching the shape and color of a single anterior crown is perhaps one of the greatest challenges in restorative dentistry. The clinician must often rely on the artistic skills of a laboratory technician who has no direct access to the patient. The shade selection process is, therefore, impaired, and the final result may be a restoration which does not emulate the aesthetics of the adjacent natural dentition. The learning objective of this article is to present an innovative technique which utilizes the qualities of high strength laboratory processing in association with the application of light curing and freehand bonding of composite resins. This combination allows the clinician to predictably achieve aesthetic results with single anterior crowns. The direct, indirect, and indirect/direct restorations are discussed, and the laboratory and clinical procedures are reviewed.