S13: Demystifying Mimicry of National Dentition / Restoration of Endodontically Treated Teeth

Demystifying Mimicry of National Dentition – 8:00 – 10:00 AM  

The color and translucency of a natural tooth is a fascinating phenomenon. In addition to opalescence and fluorescence, color and translucency constitute the major components of dental esthetics. Our role as clinicians is to understand the science and knowledge formulating these components to restore the tooth not only to proper function but also to its appropriate appearance. 

Restoration of Endodontically Treated Teeth – 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Coronal rehabilitation of endodontically treated posterior teeth remains a contentious topic. Although the traditional crown supported by metal radicular supports is still extensively used in dentistry, its invasiveness has been heavily criticized. Parameters, including residual tooth volume, tooth position, number of proximal contacts, timing of the definitive restoration, and the presence of cracks have been reported to impact restoration and tooth survival. The ongoing evolution of dental materials and techniques, coupled with a trend toward more conservative endodontic restorative procedures, necessitates a reassessment of the scientific literature. Can contemporary materials and minimally invasive therapeutic options based solely on adhesion replace conventional and more invasive restorative methods?

Educational Objectives:

• To help introduce the science of color and optical properties in dentistry. 
• Understanding the importance of light and providing tips to optimize lighting in dental 
• clinics may help the clinician address a color matching challenge in a more systematic and organized approach.
• Explain how impaired tooth structure affects the restorability of teeth.
• Identify the key concepts that influence tooth and restoration survival and present predictions for best future solutions for the long-term retention of endodontically treated teeth.
• Describe the current understanding of the therapeutic options for devitalized teeth that rely on modern materials and adhesive dentistry and compare them to conventional procedures.