DentaltownUK July 2017 - 43

show your work
case study

No Shrink? No Stress?
NO PROBLEM.
Direct restoration of posterior
teeth using a bulk-fill technique
A note from the editor
Introduction
The "bread and butter" procedures of
everyday general dental practices are typically
direct posterior composite restorations.
Unfortunately, the traditionally techniquesensitive nature of placing these restorations
(for example, open- or closed- sandwich
layering techniques) has left many clinicians
feeling less than confident with their selected
protocol, particularly when patients present
with large defects requiring treatment.1
As a result, indirect restorations may
be preferred to avoid complications like
postoperative sensitivity, less-than-ideal
aesthetics, improper contacts, or voids in
the material or unfilled margin areas.2-4
Today, however, bulk-fill materials enable
clinicians to easily modify their direct
posterior composite placement protocol to

consistently achieve ideal results. Among the
characteristics of today's bulk-fill materials
that contribute to treatment predictability
and ease of placement is their ability to be
placed in a single increment, or with a liner, to
reduce the likelihood of voids. Additionally,
bulk fill composites demonstrate a deeper
depth of cure (about 4 millimeters), which
minimizes the chances of undercuring the
material and thus reduces the possibility of
postoperative sensitivity.
The following case demonstrates how
efficiently direct posterior composite restorations can be placed using bulk-fill materials. The protocol optimizes the material's
handling characteristics and working time
for adaptation, establishing proper contacts
and sculpting lifelike anatomy.

Maybe they feel like they've finally
mastered a new technique they've
been working on. Perhaps they rose
to the challenge of a particularly
tough patient case. Or it could be
that they just want bragging rights
for something that, in their eyes,
approaches perfection.
If you've got a case you think might
be a great fit, shoot me an email:
sam@farranmedia.com. Be sure to
include a sentence that sums up
why this case is so special to you, to
help us review and select the best
contenders for publication.
One clarification: This opportunity is
available to registered Townies only!
So be sure to update your member
information at dentaltown.com
before giving us a shout.

by Jason Olitsky, DMD
Jason Olitsky, DMD, maintains a private
practice in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
Olitsky is past president of the Florida
Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, an
accredited member of the American
Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and an
accredited Digital Smile Design master. As
director of aesthetics and photography

Last October we introduced a new
department called "Show Your Work"
that gives Townies an opportunity
to do just that. Here, you'll find
straightforward case studies that
your fellow dentists take pride in.

with Clinical Mastery Series, he teaches portrait and
clinical photography and over-the-shoulder anterior
aesthetics courses. Olitsky also is clinical adjunct
faculty with the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral
Health and a clinical consultant for Dental Advisor,
and co-wrote The Naked Tooth: What Cosmetic
Dentists Don't Want You to Know, a book aimed at a
general consumer readership.

Thank you!

Sam Mittelsteadt
editor, Dentaltown

dentaltownuk.com \\ JULY 2017

http://www.dentaltown.com http://www.dentaltownuk.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of DentaltownUK July 2017