Restorative Considerations for Tooth Rehabilitation in the Esthetic Zone
Composite resins and ceramics have been used to restore teeth in the esthetic zone for decades. Evidence supporting long-term esthetic outcomes is limited, leaving clinicians unsure which procedure and material is more reliable. Also, can artificial aging methods and in-vitro studies provide insight into esthetic longevity?
Optimizing the clinical and esthetic outcomes of resin-based materials necessitates an understanding of their basic composition and properties, knowledge and training in the skills required to apply and finish them, and, most importantly, efficient light curing. The same is true for ceramic-based restorations, where understanding their optical characteristics, necessary tooth preparation design, and bonding procedure is critical to their longevity.
- Learn about the direct and indirect restorative materials available for tooth rehabilitation in the esthetic zone, as well as how they compare to the optical properties of natural teeth.
- Provide clinical recommendations for finishing and polishing steps, as well as how to choose and use light curing to improve the potential and longevity of composite resin restorations.
- Classify ceramic materials used for esthetic tooth rehabilitation, their optical properties, and optimum bonding protocols.
TAISEER SULAIMAN-DDS, PhD
Dr. Sulaiman is a tenured associate professor and the director of Advanced Operative Dentistry and Biomaterials Research at the Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned his clinical certificate in Operative Dentistry and his PhD in Dental Materials from the Department of Prosthetic Dentistry and Biomaterial Sciences at the University of Turku in Finland in collaboration with the Department of Operative Dentistry at UNC. Dr. Sulaiman is a wet-handed clinician and a researcher who is passionate about bridging the gap between dental research and clinical application. Dr. Sulaiman’s research focus is on dental ceramics, adhesion, cements, color, and appearance in dentistry. He has published over 80 peer-reviewed articles, abstracts, and book chapters. He is a member of many academies, including the Academy of Operative Dentistry (where he serves as councilor to the academy), the Society of Color and Appearance in Dentistry, IADR/AADR, and the American Dental Association. He has presented on numerous national and international stages and serves as a reviewer for many peer-reviewed journals.
