before and after
January 15, 2024
Dr. Mauricio Watanabe, Specialist

Clinical Case: Closing Anterior Diastemas with Single Shade Simplicity

Using 3M™ Scotchbond™ Universal Adhesive, 3M™ Filtek™ Universal Restorative, 3M™ Sof-Lex™ Contouring and Polishing Discs, 3M™ Sof-Lex™ Diamond Polishing System, and 3M™ Elipar™ DeepCure-L LED Curing Light.

About the Case

Patient had an esthetic complaint about a diastema between her upper central incisors. The challenge was to obtain adequate contours and an excellent finish and polish, especially near the gingiva. The composite must be easy to sculpt and polish.


Learn more about the products used in this clinical case

Teeth with diastema between central incisors

Initial situation: diastema between central incisors.

Wax-up of the teeth

Wax-up of the clinical case. A guide was made with silicone impression material (3M™ Express™ XT VPS Impression Material).

Teeth prophylaxis

Prophylaxis, acid etching and application of 3M™ Single Bond Universal Adhesive (20 seconds), followed by solvent evaporation and a 10-second light cure* with 3M™ Elipar™ DeepCure-L LED Curing Light.

Clinical tip: 
A silicone key created from a wax-up serves as scaffolding to quickly create precise anatomy.

First layer of 3M™ Filtek™ Universal Restorative on teeth

Insert the first layer of 3M™ Filtek™ Universal Restorative, shade B1. The composite’s consistency facilitates handling. 10-second light cure* with 3M™ Elipar™ DeepCure-L LED Curing Light.

Final appearance of the restoration

Final appearance of the restoration, using layers of 3M™ Filtek™ Universal Restorative, shade B1, each layer cured for 10 seconds* using a 3M™ Elipar™ DeepCure-L LED Curing Light.

Polishing tooth

Finish with 3M™ Sof-Lex™ Finishing and Polishing System (orange disc, medium grit).

Pre-polishing Teeth

Pre-polishing with the 3M™ Sof-Lex™ Diamond Polishing System (beige spiral).

Completing the final polish

Completing the final polish with the 3M™ Sof-Lex™ Diamond Polishing System (purple spiral).

Incisal view of the restoration.

Incisal view of the restoration.

Palatal view of the restoration.

Palatal view of the restoration.

Final appearance of the restoration.

Final appearance of the restoration.

final result

Observe the color match obtained with 3M™ Filtek™ Universal Restorative, mimicking the dental substrate and delivering a natural-looking polish and appearance.

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