Dentaltown September 2022 - 42

by Dr. Chad C. Duplantis
Dr. Chad C. Duplantis received his DDS from the University
of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of
Dentistry, then continued his postdoctoral training at
Baylor College of Dentistry and earned a certificate in
advanced education in general dentistry.
Duplantis has been in private practice since 2000 in
the north Fort Worth, Texas, area with an emphasis on
restorative and aesthetic dentistry. He is a member of Catapult Education's
speakers bureau and has also been a member of several aesthetic and
restorative continuums, most recently the Spear Education Study Club. He is a
fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry and a clinical consultant for Glidewell
Laboratories. Duplantis lives with his wife and his children in Keller, Texas, where
he enjoys cycling, shooting sporting clays, fishing, traveling and being outdoors.
Indirect restorative dentistry presents clinicians with many options in regard to technique, materials
and acquisition of a final impression. As dentistry has evolved, digital technology has proven to be a
worthy competitor to analog methods; however, the need for traditional impression materials will exist
for the foreseeable future.
Regardless of the method of acquisition, the principles of impressioning remain the same. Adherence
to these principles, an understanding of the materials and technology, and a sound preparation design
will help dentists achieve clinical success of the final restoration. This article addresses various aspects
that provide predictable results regardless of mode of acquisition.
Preparation design
After the appropriate diagnosis and treatment planning for an indirect restoration, it's imperative that
all restorations start with an appropriately planned preparation design. Ultimately, several factors-caries,
previous restorations, etc.-will dictate the final design but it is still important to try to adhere to some
fundamental criteria. In a desired design for a full-coverage restoration, an appropriate preparation with
attention to marginal detail is crucial for restorative success.
Characteristics of an appropriate preparation design include:
* Ideal taper (5-6 degrees).
* Axial wall height (3-4 mm).
* Appropriate use of retentive
features (such as boxes and
grooves) when needed.
* Avoidance of undercuts.
* Smooth, finished with a finer
diamond.
* Established path of insertion.
In addition to these characteristics,
it is imperative to follow the preparation
guidelines for the proposed
material of the restoration-especially
reduction. Attention to these
parameters will increase success in the
impression, cementation and overall
longevity of the restoration (Fig. 1).
RETENTIVE PREPARATIONS
* Ideal taper (5-6 degrees).
* Axial wall height (3-4 mm).
* Appropriate use of retentive
features (such as boxes and
grooves) when needed.
* Avoidance of undercuts.
* Relatively smooth, finished
with a diamond.
* Established path of insertion.
* Attention to appropriate
reduction required for
material.
Fig. 1: " Ideal " characteristics of a retentive preparation.
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Dentaltown September 2022

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