Clinical Case: Unsightly black triangles, a tricky restorative procedure made easy with flowable composites and warming.
May 27, 2024 | 3m
About the Case
The patient, a male in his mid-30s presented to the practice requesting improved aesthetics of the lower anterior teeth. Dark/black triangles had developed after fixed orthodontic treatment implemented to correct moderate to severe anterior crowding of the lower anterior teeth. Initially a referral was made to a periodontist for possible gingival and bone grafting procedures, but it was deemed unpredictable in this case. Other restorative options offered to the patient included indirect restorations; veneers and crowns. These were not a conservative option due to the aggressive nature of the required preparations to achieve the desired aesthetic result. Patient opted for a minimally invasive approach. The challenge was that traditional composite bonding techniques including the use of cellular strip and sculptable composite resin can be cumbersome to manage interproximal embrasure areas and contacts. The Patient was happy with ortho treatment result but very conscious of the resultant dark triangles.| Learn more about the product used in this clinical case |
Pre ortho photo of lower arch. Depicting moderate to severe crowding of lower anterior teeth. Ortho Treatment was approximately 12 months duration.
Pre-treatment smile frontal. Presentation of black triangles in the lower anterior region. Patient also had a fixed lingual re tainer that needed to be removed before the restorative procedure commenced.
Pretreatment intra oral retracted photo.
Close up – of black triangles between 42, 41, 31 and 32.
Rubber dam isolation. No LA required as this procedure is atraumatic and does not require any removal of tooth structure. Meticulous removal of biofilm before commencing bonding procedure is essential to allow optimal bond strength to uncut enamel and infinity edge margins.
Anterior Bioclear matrices inserted and application of Scotchbond™ Universal Etchant. Note: no requirement of wedges to stabilise matrices.
Bioclear matrices with application of Scotchbond™ Universal adhesive. Rub 20s, air thin and cure 10s.
Filtek Supreme Flowable injected followed by warmed Filtek Supreme XTE (B1) sculptable composite resin, then cured for 20s.
Composite curing completed, matrices removed, pre-polishing.
Frontal smile photo, final result after finishing and polishing.
Pre-ortho Intra oral retracted.
Post-ortho and Restorative Intra oral retracted.
Post-treatment occlusal after lingual fixed retainer reapplied.
Refer to Instructions for Use (IFU) for complete product information. Results may vary.
