In general, the treatment of anterior hypodontia requires an interdisciplinary approach. In the case presented here, the patient was treated with all-ceramic restorations (IPS e.max Press and IPS e.max Ceram) to attain the desired result. The close collaboration of the dentist (Dr Luis Roberto Sanchez Ramirez, Mexico) and the dental technician (Alen Alić, Croatia) and a carefully developed restorative treatment plan are integral requirements for this type of dental treatment.

An esthetic smile makeover can change many things

This patient presented to the practice with hypodontia (in this case: tooth agenesis of the upper lateral incisors). Her teeth had been restored with veneers three years ago. She was dissatisfied with the shape, proportions and colour of her teeth. Photoshop Smile Design (PSD) was used to visualize possible esthetic improvements with all-ceramics. The digital plan was then transferred to a digital articulator and a wax-up was produced.

The old veneers were removed and the rather extensive existing preparations were reworked in detail. Before the provisionals were incorporated, the operator defined the tooth colours. The front teeth were restored with pressed veneers made of the IPS e.max Press LT ceramic and customized with additional layering ceramic. The non-prep veneers for the posterior teeth were layered on refractory dies using IPS e.max Ceram. Once the all-ceramic restorations were placed, the result was impressive: a harmonious overall appearance with natural-looking teeth and healthy soft tissue.

The properties and high strength (470 MPa) of the IPS e.max all-ceramic material give good reason to expect long-lasting restorations.

If you use materials from the IPS e.max system in your dental laboratory, you can take advantage of the patient certificate to prove to your dentists and their patients that you have used only authentic and high quality materials to provide them with their all-ceramic restorations. All dental laboratories that use the materials of the IPS e.max all-ceramics range will receive these certificates from Ivoclar Vivadent free of charge.

Dr Luis Roberto Sanchez Ramirez, Mexico

Alen Alić, Croatia