Aesthetic Success: Tissue Management and Impressions

CASE REPORT

Written by Martin B. Goldstein, DMD 

Diagnosis and Treatment Planning: Inspiration Instilled
From Figures 1 and 2, it is evident that Ira, a patient relatively new to my practice, was a potential candidate for an aesthetic rehabilitation. Until the time that this case formally began, Ira presented mostly for crisis-based dentistry which typically involved repairing failing posterior restorations. During one of those visits, I elected to expose Ira to the possibilities of smile rehabilitation. This involved a quick digital portrait that was forwarded to Smile-Vision (Smile-Vision). In a few days, I received a notice that Ira’s simulation was ready for viewing and subsequent downloading. Upon doing so, I printed and placed the simulation in Ira’s chart in preparation for his next unscheduled visit (Figures 3a and 3b). (Note: If you prefer, Smile-Vision can also print a copy of the simulation for you.)

Figure 1. Preoperative retracted view of the patient’s smile.	Figure 2. Occlusal view of the compromised maxillary dentition.

     Ira’s next visit was necessitated by pulpitis in a lower molar that prompted endodontic therapy and a subsequent crown. During that visit, I gave Ira a copy of his simulation. His reaction ranked among the most exuberant of those I have ever witnessed upon viewing of their simulation: he was smiling ear to ear at the prospect of what might be accomplished. To put it simply: “You can make me look like this picture?” To which I replied, “Yes!”

Figure 4. Virtual study models (diagnostic wax-up [or mock-up] created by the digital imaging software).

Figure 5. Mounted study models with diagnostic wax-up on the articulator.

     This preview prompted a more extensive discussion between Ira and me, ultimately resulting in the formulation and patient acceptance of a treatment plan that would guide the case to its successful completion. In all, Ira’s treatment plan included orthodontic, endodontic, periodontal, and oral surgical care in addition to the prosthodontic treatment needed to restore his smile.
Prior to instituting any restorative procedure, Ira’s simulation was used by Smile-Vision to generate a virtual wax-up (or mock-up) (Figure 4), a preparation guide, and a hard/soft template that would subsequently enable the chairside fabrication of acrylic provisional restorations. The “Resin-Replica” created from the mock-up was mounted on a Panadent articulator (Panadent) to enable all functional criteria to be reconciled preoperatively (Figure 5). Tooth No. 9, which, as determined during endodontic consultation, exhibited an advanced periodontal lesion with a poor prognosis, was ultimately extracted prior to restorative treatment. It would be allowed to heal for approximately 6 weeks while the socket stabilized. During that same time, tooth No. 23 was removed, and orthodontic therapy performed to align Ira’s lower anterior teeth in preparation for porcelain veneers.

Tooth Preparation, Tissue Management, and Impressions
Following completion of Ira’s preparatory specialty care (lasting approximately 8 months in total), the maxillary dentition was prepared for full-coverage crowns and a fixed partial denture (Figures 6 and 7), taking care to expose the margins for taking the final impression and the anticipated restorations. Having completed periodontal care in advance of restorative treatment, no exudates, blood, or other crevicular fluids that would have compromised the final impression were detected. 

Figure 6. Facial view of the completed preparations for the dentition of the maxillary arch.	Figure 7. Occlusal view of the repaired anterior dentition.
Figure 8. Placement of the preliminary retraction cord.	Figure 9. Insertion of the impression cords (double-cord technique was used).

     Achieving proper hemostasis was critical to capturing a precise impression. A dual-cord technique and laser-troughing ezlase (BIOLASE) were used in order to ensure that the gingival tissues were sufficiently deflected from the preparation margins for accurate registration of these critical areas. The first epinephrine-soaked cords (size No. 0, Gingibraid [Dux]) were placed circumferentially around the prepared teeth (Figure 8). Then, a second continuous cord (size No. 1) was inserted around all the teeth to further facilitate retraction (Figure 9). In areas where the margins were not fully exposed using the dual-cord technique, a soft-tissue diode laser was also applied to improve access of the impression material to all the details of the margins (Figure 10). The second cord would be removed just prior to the injection of the light-body material, leaving the sulcular cord in place throughout the process.

Figure 10. A soft-tissue diode laser (ezlase [BIOLASE]) was used to optimize the position of the gingival tissue for impression making.	Figure 11. Application of a surfactant (B4 Pre-Impression Surface Optimizer [DENTSPLY Caulk]), done prior to the application of the vinyl polysiloxane impression material.
Figure 12. Injection of wash material around prepared dentition.	Figure 13. Flowing the impression material (Aquasil Ultra Xtra Smart Wetting Impression Material [DENTSPLY Caulk]) into the custom resin impression tray.
Figure 14. Seating of the impression tray.	Figure 15. Occlusal view of the resulting impression.
Figure 16. Provisionalized maxillary dentition.	Figure 17. The definitive restorations were polished on the model and forwarded for try-in, cementation, and final finishing/polishing.

     Next, a surfactant (B4 Pre-Impression Surface Optimizer [DENTSPLY Caulk]) was then applied to the prepared teeth. This important new clinical step was done to break the surface contact tension, thus providing a lubricating effect for the light-body impression material (Figure 11) that was subsequently syringed around the prepared dentition (Figure 12). An elastomeric impression material (Aquasil Ultra Xtra Smart Wetting Impression Material [DENTSPLY Caulk]) was selected for the procedure for a variety of reasons. Its extended working time afforded me 45 additional seconds for syringing the material around the preparations, enabling full capture of the margins minus the undesired voids, air bubbles, or draws. I like to use a resin custom tray with an open palate design which makes it easy to retrieve any excess impression material that may escape down a patient’s throat. It’s worth mentioning that the thixotropic (yet flowable) consistency of the Ultra Xtra tray material all but eliminated any concerns of tray run-off. (Figures 13 and 14 demonstrate loading of the custom tray followed by its intraoral seating.) In addition, this impression material would also be easy to remove upon setting, thus eliminating but one more source of stress when impressing multiple teeth in a close-fitting custom tray. Upon removal from the patient’s mouth (Figure 15), the impression was easy to read and was sent to the dental laboratory with all the diagnostic information gathered during preoperative consultation and at the chair. 
     Bisacrylic (Protemp Garrant [3M ESPE]) provisional restorations, fabricated from the template demonstrating the ideal position of the patient’s dentition (determined preoperatively in the Smile-Vision wax-up and mockup), were delivered to the patient at this time (Figure 16). The provisional restorations would enable proper function during laboratory fabrication of the definitive restorations and ensure evaluation of patient function, phonetics, and aesthetics during this 2-month period.
     The impressions of the patient’s maxillary and mandibular arches were used to pour accurate working models and were used to create the restorations required to satisfy the patient’s aesthetic objectives. The impressions were forwarded to the dental technician along with digital photographs (eg, of the preoperative condition, preparations, the seated provisional restorations) and the 3-dimensional Smile-Vision mock-up itself. Single-unit, full-coverage, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns were created for teeth Nos. 3 to 7, as well as teeth Nos. 13 and 14 (Figure 17). A PFM bridge was seated for teeth Nos. 8 to 12 (with pontics at teeth Nos. 9 and 11).