{"title":"Direct or indirect veneers?. Overview with a focus on ceramic restorations.","authors":"Federico Ferraris","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Minimally invasive anterior veneer restorations have become a cornerstone of contemporary esthetic dentistry, with both direct composite resin and indirect ceramic veneers offering effective and conservative treatment solutions. This article provides a comprehensive clinical and scientific overview, outlining indications, preparation protocols, adhesive procedures, esthetic and functional outcomes, and long-term performance. For indirect ceramic veneers, key clinical concepts such as additive design philosophy, project-guided preparations, and mock-up-driven techniques are explored in detail. The importance of enamel preservation is highlighted. Adhesive protocols are critically reviewed, including ceramic conditioning with hydrofluoric acid, silanization, and tooth surface treatment under rubber dam isolation. Long-term survival and success data from the literature are discussed, showing superior longevity for ceramic veneers but also showing the advantages of modern composite resin materials. Ultimately, when used appropriately and according to clinical indications, both composite resin and ceramic veneers represent viable treatment options that provide predictable outcomes and high patient satisfaction.</p>","PeriodicalId":46271,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Esthetic Dentistry","volume":"21 5","pages":"52-72"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148036448","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Biomaterials in esthetic restorative dentistry.","authors":"Amélie Karine Jacques Mainjot","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Esthetic restorative dentistry has seen a paradigm shift toward conservative approaches that prioritize tooth preservation, functional longevity, and patient-specific customization. Biomaterials play a pivotal role in this transformation. From traditional feldspathic ceramics and lithium-reinforced glass-ceramics to zirconia, CAD/CAM composites, PICN (hybrid ceramic), and 3D-printed materials, the spectrum of options continues to expand. However, an ideal material capable of meeting all requirements simultaneously does not exist. Clinical success therefore depends on judicious material selection and a thorough understanding of the advantages and limitations of each biomaterial class. This review synthesizes the available data across material families, evaluating their properties and clinical behavior, with particular emphasis on minimally invasive protocols and bruxism-prone patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":46271,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Esthetic Dentistry","volume":"21 5","pages":"18-35"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148036423","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Visual decision aid within the 'gray zone' of choosing the appropriate esthetic restorative material.","authors":"Alexandros Manolakis, Aris Petros Tripodakis, Stefano Gracis","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The patient-related clinical and socioeconomic factors that influence the final decision in selecting the preferred restorative material for each situation may be confusing for both the patient and the dentist. The hereby proposed 'spider graph' assessing and scaling important clinical parameters can act as an indicative communication tool that can facilitate the final decision.</p>","PeriodicalId":46271,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Esthetic Dentistry","volume":"21 5","pages":"88-94"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148036434","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Group discussion and summaries.","authors":"Amélie Karine Jacques Mainjot, Riccardo Ammannato","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":46271,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Esthetic Dentistry","volume":"21 5","pages":"74-87"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148036437","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Didier Dietschi, Amélie Karine Jacques Mainjot, Riccardo Ammannato
{"title":"Decisional factors supporting the use of direct or indirect techniques and related esthetic biomaterials.","authors":"Didier Dietschi, Amélie Karine Jacques Mainjot, Riccardo Ammannato","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>There are many options for restoring or improving a smile, including various tooth-colored biomaterials and clinical protocols. Some simple and limited tooth form or color corrections in young patients with healthy teeth logically call for a direct approach using composite resins, whereas more extensive smile rehabilitation in older patients with high esthetic demands should rationally be performed with ceramics. The various patient conditions that comprise these 'simple' examples, for which all practitioners may apply the same decision-making rationale, do not apply in increasingly complicated situations when more options appear feasible; this is exactly what the 'gray zone' in esthetic restorative dentistry is about. This introductory article presents and analyzes the multitude of factors to be considered in adopting a rational approach to this 'complex' situation faced daily by clinicians. The other articles in this publication develop first the arguments of the invited experts in favor of direct or indirect techniques and composite resin or ceramic materials, prior to a description of the state of the art in each treatment approach and restorative materials. This is followed by the conclusive outcome of a general discussion summarizing the recommendations of EAED's Active Members and conference moderators to select more rationally the most appropriate treatment modalities and biomaterials for excellence in esthetic restorative dentistry.</p>","PeriodicalId":46271,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Esthetic Dentistry","volume":"21 5","pages":"8-17"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148036418","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Direct or indirect techniques?. Focus on direct procedures and related esthetic resin biomaterials.","authors":"Tony Rotondo","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the esthetic zone, while there may be a structural, mechanical, or health problem to manage, the patient's esthetic concerns will also significantly influence the treatment possibilities. A consequence of this is the need to use tooth-colored restorative materials. Treatment choices are frequently limited to direct or indirect techniques using either ceramics or composite resin-based materials. The inclusion of orthodontics and perio-plastic procedures may also influence the selection of the treatment approach. In the 'gray zone,' a patient will have a number of possible treatment options, and the treating clinician may have difficulty deciding on the most appropriate treatment plan. While there is often no right or wrong treatment plan, this author hopes to present more clarity around developing the best one for a particular patient. The indications for direct and indirect techniques often coincide. However, they have entered the same space from opposite positions, which has created certain 'legacy issues' and treatment-planning confusion. As far as the gray zone in esthetic restorative dentistry is concerned, the area of greatest overlap is of most interest. The primary emphasis of this article is the appropriate application of direct materials.</p>","PeriodicalId":46271,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Esthetic Dentistry","volume":"21 5","pages":"36-50"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148036395","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}