Esthetic Management of Bilateral Maxillary Schizodontism

 

Stage III. The final course of manage-ment for this case was the esthetic restorative treatment of the maxillary anterior teeth with porcelain veneers. The goal of this stage of treatment was to improve the form and over-all esthet-ics of the maxillary arch by 1). Decreasing the mesio-distal width of the two geminated teeth; 2). Correcting the discrepancy in labial inclination of the two centrals; 3). Aligning the lateral incisors within the arch in relation to the canines, and reducing their distoincisal prominence; 4). Enhancing the facial prominence of the two canines in the arch alignment to coincide with the patient’s gender; 5). Utilizing shade modification to create the illusion of a balanced tooth size within the anterior segment of the maxillary dental arch; and 6). Blending the color gradation from the veneers to the natural tooth structure of the adjacent premolars.

Preparation for the Veneers

After thorough prophylaxis of the maxil-lary and mandibular dentitions, the desired shades for veneers were select-ed in consultation with the patient. Shade A1 was selected for the veneer body of the maxillary central and lateral incisors and A2 for their cervical third. A slightly darker shades, A2 and A3, were chosen for the canines.

Selective grinding was undertaken to modify both the shape and relative posi-tion of each individual tooth, along with partially achieving the desired alignment of the maxillary anterior teeth in relation to the premolars. The facial aspects of the centrals and laterals was reducted more at the incisal and middle third than the cervical third. However, the facial aspect of the canines was left intact, since the intention was to boost their prominence in the arch with the veneers. All cervical finish lines were terminated in a light chamfer, except for the distal surface of the geminated teeth where a thick chamfer was placed to avoid the increase in the reduced tooth width.

The interproximal surfaces were includ-ed in the preparations, while the distal aspect of the two centrals were further reduced to minimize the width of these teeth. The plan to decrease the crown width at the cervical region of the cen-tral incisors encountered anatomic limi-tations. This was due to the enlarged root trunk and the morphologic abnor-mality of the root canal/pulp chamber complex that left little thickness of dentin wall, mesially and distally. All incisal finish lines of the six anteriors were terminated at the lingo-incisal line angles (figure 4).

Gingival retraction cord was placed and a full arch impression was taken using Vinyl Polysiloxane (figure 6). A primary alginate impression was taken for the lower arch and the occlusal relationship was recorded. No temporization was necessary since teeth color was not objectionable and reduction was limited to enamel, except for few areas.

Laboratory Technique

Instructions related to arch form, tooth alignment and size were conveyed to the ceramic technician along with shade selection. The impressions were cast in dental stone and inverted into the “Accu-Tray” to allow for the use of single dies. The geminated teeth dies, num-bers 8 and 9, were individually separat-ed while those for teeth numbers 6-7, and10-11 were maintained together to avoid interruption of their proximal con-tacts that were not separated during the preparation. The dies were trimmed, sealed and a die-spacer was applied (figure 5). The sectioned portion was duplicated and refractory investment dies were fabricated (figure 6). Once sintered, the refractory dies were sealed in the usual fashion.

The porcelain veneers were built up according to instructions. In order to create the illusion of smaller central incisors, shade A1 was used for the body of the two centrals and laterals, while shade A2 was used for their necks. This shade was extended to the mesial and distal aspects creating a shadowing effect. Furthermore, the mesial aspect of the laterals were extended slightly to overlap the distal of the centrals, while attempting to create as regular an arrangement as possible. Due to the prominence of the upper right central incisor, the corresponding porcelain laminate was kept to a mini-mum thickness of 0.4 mm in some areas. The left central incisor was built out mesially to create more arch harmo-ny for an esthetically pleasing arrange-ment. Slightly darker shades were used for the canines.

Once satisfactory contours and surface texturs were achieved, veneers were separated and margins finished. The laminates were glazed after the applica-tion of the required surface staining to enhance the desired shades. Refractory investment was blasted off the fitting surface using glass beads. Veneers were fit to their corresponding dies indi-vidually on the master model. The 6 veneers were then tried together on the master model by adjusting the inter-proximal contacts, to ensure fit (figure 7). The anatomic surfaces of the veneers were etched with 20% hydrofluoric acid for ten minutes, washed with distilled water, then placed in an ultrasonic clean-er for an additional ten minutes.

Try in and Bonding

After thorough prophylaxis of the teeth, the patient was placed in a semi- recum-bent position with a 4×4 gauze across the dorsum of the tongue, guarding the oropharynx. Each veneer was individ-ually seated to check the accuracy of marginal fit, gingival relationship, con-tact relationship with adjacent veneers or teeth. Color, esthetics and occlusion were checked to the patient’s satisfac-tion. The veneers were removed, washed and cleaned with alcohol, and thoroughly dried, before the application of silane primer to their anatomic sur-faces.

Teeth were etched using phosphoric acid gel, washed with water, and dried. Mylar strips were placed to secure sep-aration at the contacts. A thin layer of dentin adhesive was applied to etched teeth and the silane-treated veneers and subsequently light-cured. Composite luting agent was applied to the anatomic surface of each veneer before seating in place and light-activated. A sickle scaler was used to remove gross excess. Fine grit tapered diamond point, finishing strips, and discs were used for initial finishing. This was followed by 20-fluted tungsten carbide burs, and rubber-incorporated abrasive points with polishing paste for final finish. Occlusion was checked before polishing (figure 8). The patient received instructions in proper oral home care and subsequent follow up.

Discussion

The present case management consisted of three sequential and interdependent stages. By implementing these, the esthetic appearance was enhanced (fig-ure 9) and Bolton’s discrepancy was cor-rected.8 Proper gingival outline for the united twins was improved; however, optimization of the contour was limited due to the extent of pseudo-papillae that were found to fill depressions at the neck of the roots.
Like any dental treatment, the time con-sumed, cost effectiveness, and efficacy are major considerations for determining proper approach to manage geminated teeth. The treatment modality presented in this report fulfilled both functional and esthetic requirements to the patient’s sat-isfaction. It was achieved in a reasonably short period of time with minimal effort and comparatively low cost. Perhaps the most attractive aspect of the treatment rendered was the conservatism. Thus, surgical procedures, edentulous space problems, and subsequent committal of adjacent teeth as abutments for fixed or removable prostheses were avoided. The efficacy of this treatment was suc-cessfully proven during the five-year observation period. The question of longevity over a longer duration under-standably remains a concern, although clinical observation of porcelain veneers placed 15 years ago still proves to be positively encouraging.9 Unlike the com-posite resin used by Denyer in 1982, porcelain veneers were selected because of their superior wear resis-tance, luster, vitality, ability to induce illu-sion with color, and excellent esthetics.3

Evidently, not every case of a geminated tooth can be considered as a viable can-didate for the mode of treatment utilized. In special circumstances, due to location, individual morphology, anatomic limita-tions, and radiographic findings, surgical removal of geminated teeth might be a recommended course of treatment. Surgical removal of the affected teeth and orthodontic repositioning of adjacent dentition followed by construction of a fixed partial appliance was suggested by Cullen and co-worker, for severely crowd-ed or malformed geminated teeth.6 It should, therefore, be pointed out that each individual case must be critically analyzed prior to deciding on a given therapeutic approach with consideration given to all factors involved.

Conclusion

In the presence of favorable circum-stances as described in this case, the conservative approach suggested could be the treatment of choice to deliver a functionally fit and cosmetically pleasing result that satisfy both patient and dentist. It is recommended that the prescribed therapeutic modality could be added to the clinician’s working repertoire for treat-ment options of geminated anterior teeth.