Composite veneering: adjustments easily accomplished

Case by Dr. Onur Alp Yünük

Beautiful teeth, a bright, flawless smile: Meeting the aesthetic demands of patients asking for veneer treatment can be challenging. While some patients share concrete ideas on how their new teeth should look, it is more difficult for others to express their expectations. In this case, it is important to select a treatment approach that allows for modifications – be it in the form of an extended planning phase including digital smile design or by placing composite restorations that can be easily modified intraorally.

The latter approach was selected for a young female patient who presented to our clinic as she was dissatisfied with her composite veneers that had been placed on the upper incisors (Figs. 1 to 4). During intraoral examination, it became evident that the existing restorations on her maxillary incisors and canines had irregular, rough surfaces, discoloured margins and compromised structural integrity of the composite material. In accordance with these findings, removing the existing restorations at the maxillary anterior teeth and re-establishing optimal aesthetic and functional integrity with new direct composite restorations were planned (teeth between #13 - #23 according to the FDI notation). The patient stated that she would like us to add more individuality and character to her teeth and have a brighter smile than with her existing restorations.

Fig. 1. Composite veneers on the maxillary incisors showing aesthetic and functional integrity issues.

Fig. 2. Occlusal view of the maxillary anterior teeth with visible defects in the composite veneers.

Fig. 3. Lateral view from the right revealing surface irregularities.

Fig. 4. Lateral view from the left revealing a large debonded and chipped area.

REPLACEMENT OF THE COMPOSITE VENEERS

To reproduce the translucency characteristics of the patient’s natural teeth and fulfil her aesthetic demands, the use of a polychromatic layering system and a dual-layer technique was planned. This would allow for a nice play of translucencies in the anterior area.

During the shade selection phase, the Bilaminar Shade Assessment Technique (BSAT) was employed, which is based on the color combination of dentin and enamel composites. In this technique, the intended enamel shade was stratified over the target dentin chroma to evaluate the resultant shade created by the two composite color layers. The materials were polymerized on the tooth surface without bonding agents; thus, the cumulative color perception resulting from stratification, rather than the individual shades of the materials, was verified for harmony with the natural tooth structure at the onset of treatment. Photos were taken with a camera equipped with a cross-polarized filter (Fig. 5). Subsequently, the fixed retainer was removed, as were the existing composite veneers. To save as much of the underlying healthy tooth structure as possible, the procedure was performed under magnification and blue-light illumination. The selected instruments were red- and yellow-band diamond burs as well as tungsten carbide burs. Figure 6 shows the result of the procedure.

Fig. 5. Shade determination – image taken with the aid of a cross-polarizing filter that eliminates reflections.

Fig. 6. Teeth after the removal of the deficient composite veneers.

The teeth were isolated using rubber dam, which was secured with floss in the cervical area. Then, restoration procedures were initiated on the teeth. After etching of the enamel and application of a self-etching bonding agent (CLEARFIL™ SE Bond 2, Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc.), CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Premium (Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc.) was applied: The dentin core with its pronounced mamelons was modelled using the shade A1D. The incisal edges and mamelons were highlighted with spots of white tint. To create an opalescent effect, a thin layer of the translucent shade Blue was placed on top, while the enamel parts were built up with the enamel shade WE. Since the retainer had been removed, a clear aligner was fabricated and delivered to the patient at the end of the session for use until the subsequent appointment.

Fig. 7. Isolation with rubber dam for restoration of the lateral incisors and canines.

Fig. 8. Vestibular enamel layer applied to the teeth.

Fig. 9. Shape and shade of the restorations created according to the patient’s expectations.

After finishing and polishing with Twist DIA for composite, the patient was sent home and a new appointment was made for re-evaluation and final adjustments.

In the control appointment, the patient asked us to slightly reduce the incisal translucencies and brightness in her maxillary incisors and alter the shape of all restored teeth: She requested longer maxillary central incisors with softer, more rounded line angles and a smoother incisal contour. Rubber dam was placed again. Then, the vestibular surfaces of the composite restorations on the maxillary incisors were reduced slightly using red- and yellow-band diamond burs. To roughen the surface and enhance the topography for optimal micromechanical interlocking, the composite surface was sandblasted with 50-μm aluminium oxide particles. Phosphoric acid etchant, silane and CLEARFIL™ SE Bond 2 were applied sequentially as part of the adhesive protocol. The restorations were then modified by lengthening, shade correction using CLEARFIL MAJESTY™ ES-2 Premium in the shades A1D and A1E and refining of the anatomical contours (Figs. 10 and 11).

Fig. 10. Modification of the central incisor restorations.

Fig. 11. Modified smile with more regular tooth forms and contours as well as a more natural tooth shade.

During this final appointment, the patient expressed that she was very happy with her new smile. The restoration surfaces were re-polished, a new retainer was bonded and final photographs were taken (Figs. 12 to 16).

Fig. 12. Final treatment outcome – frontal view.

Fig. 13. Final treatment outcome – occlusal view.

Fig. 14. Final treatment outcome – lateral view.

Fig. 15. Final treatment outcome – the patient’s smile.

Fig. 16. Detailed view of the inner colour structure – made visible with the aid of a polarized filter.

CONCLUSION

Talking to patients about every detail of the treatment and listening attentively to their ideas, expectations and demands does not always protect us from adjustments – simply because they need to see what they get to be able to judge if they like it. Luckily, selecting appropriate materials and techniques enables dental practitioners to create new smiles that can be modified without harming healthy tooth structure, so that making even the most demanding patients happy is no longer a challenge.

Dentist:

ONUR ALP YÜNÜK

Dr. Onur Alp Yünük completed both his undergraduate and doctoral education at Istanbul University. He currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry at the Istinye University Faculty of Dentistry. His work primarily focuses on direct composite restorations of anterior teeth and on polychromatic layering systems.

• May 6, 2026

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