CLASS 4 with SURFACE TEXTURING

Two central incisors present with facial incisal defects.  Esthetic recontouring produces a flat incisal edge, open embrasures and proper tooth dimensions.  Old composite is removed.  A diamond bur cleans and roughens the surface for improved enamel bond strength.  Enamel is etched for thirty seconds and rinsed with water for ten seconds.  Bonding resin is placed on a brush and thinned on gauze before it is applied in a thin layer on the tooth.  A thick layer of bonding resin can decrease bond strength and produce a slippery surface making it hard to add composite.  Composite is applied and shaped with composite instruments.  Light curing is done once final shape is achieved.

A twelve fluted bur produces detail contours of convexity and lines.  The area within the bur touching composite combined with the direction of motion determines the surface shape produced.  Rubber wheels, points and sandpaper disks produce final contours.  Diamond burs create multiple fine lines in composite by moving the bur across composite.  Final polish requires materials that do not remove or reshape composite.  Fine sandpaper disks or soft prophy cups combined with water or polishing paste achieve this goal.  

Composite restorations fail if the cause of a defects is not evaluated and eliminated.  Bruxism required placement of a nightguard for this patient.