Dr Alexandra Papanikolaou owns a private dental clinic in Athens in Greece, focused mainly on restorative and aesthetic dentistry. In an upcoming webinar, she will present the latest composite materials on the market and discuss simplified approaches for posterior restorations and polychromatic approaches for the anterior region. Ahead of her free online presentation on 25 June, she shared some insights with Dental Tribune International on the topic.
Dr Papanikolaou, what are some current trends in direct restorations? Nowadays, the snowplough technique for the posterior area is widely used among dentists. It is supposed to increase the marginal adaptation of posterior composites and reduce microleakage over time. Another trend that will be discussed in my webinar is the use of flowable composites that reproduce the opalescent effect of the teeth in the anterior area.
What techniques or materials are available to dentists today? For posterior restorations, the new material Tetric Prime [Ivoclar Vivadent] offers a great solution to past disadvantages. For anterior restorations, the gold standard is IPS Empress Direct [Ivoclar Vivadent], which has a broad variety of shades, effects and tints to cover all cases. In my webinar, I will discuss incremental filling techniques for the posterior area, such as the most commonly used centripetal and snowplough techniques. For the anterior area, we will look into stratification.
Composite veneers on two central incisors using IPS Empress Direct. (Image: Alexandra Papanikolaou)
What is challenging about direct posterior or anterior restorations? Current reviews of literature demonstrate that the annual failure rate of posterior composite resin restorations ranges from 1% to 3% per year. The greatest concern of the dental community is the gingival marginal integrity in the proximal box area, and I will demonstrate how to overcome this problem with a simplified technique. For restorations in the anterior region, achieving an aesthetic result with sufficient integration of the dental restoration is the most difficult aspect, but nothing is impossible if you proceed step by step.
What will dentists gain from watching your webinar? Dentists will receive technical information on adhesion strategies, isolation procedures and new materials on the market. They will learn techniques for better stratification in anterior restorations and incremental filling techniques for the posterior area. Other topics that are going to be addressed are colour perception and how tooth anatomy determines our finishing procedures.
Dental crowns have been used for decades to restore compromised, heavily restored teeth, and for aesthetic improvements. New Computer Aided Design/Computer ...
SCHAAN, Liechtenstein: Ivoclar revolutionised the fabrication of complete dentures two years ago with the introduction of the Ivotion Denture System, which ...
Though our understanding of preventive oral care has increased dramatically in recent decades, there are still large sections of the population who are ...
LEIPZIG, Germany: Exactly six months from today, the 2021 International Dental Show (IDS) is slated to open. The 39th edition of the world’s leading ...
COPENHAGEN, Denmark: 3Shape and Ivoclar Vivadent have announced a new collaboration that enables orthodontists, dentists, and laboratory professionals to ...
SCHAAN, Liechtenstein: Under the theme “Succeeding together in tomorrow’s dentistry”, the Ivoclar Vivadent International Expert Symposium (IES) was ...
In a free Dental Tribune Study Club webinar on Wednesday, 11 March, Dr Hyun-Jun Jung will be covering the topic of how to create and apply a surgical guide ...
SCHAAN, Liechtenstein: Digital technologies and processes are constantly driving changes in the dental industry and have a major impact on the way dental ...
Prof. Jiro Abe is the pioneer of a denture fabrication technique that is gaining popularity in dental practices around the world. In a free Ivoclar Vivadent...
Education
Live webinar Tue. 30 September 2025 12:30 pm EST (New York)
In a rapidly evolving dental landscape shaped by digitalisation, artificial intelligence and rising patient expectations, Ivoclar continues to focus on ...
COLOGNE, Germany: Staying ahead in dentistry demands access to world-class education and practical expertise. Ivoclar Academy facilitates this necessary ...
SCHAAN, Liechtenstein: Ivoclar, a global leader in dental solutions, has confirmed its participation in the upcoming International Dental Show (IDS), which ...
To post a reply please login or register