In Vivo Evaluation: Minimal- and Non-Invasive Direct Veneer Techniques

OBJECTIVE: Dental fluorosis is a condition resulting from a high dose of fluoride during odontogenesis causing hypocalsified, unaesthetic enamel. One technique devised for the trearment of dental fluorosis comprises the placement of a composite veneer over the labial surface of the fluorosed teeth. The research objective of this study was to compare the masking ability and longevity of direct composite veneers using a minimal-invasive technique as opposed to a non-invasive technique. METHODS: Thirty nine Grade eight learners at the Modilati Secondary school were selected irrespective of gender. Learners with two or more moderate to severe (Dean's index) fluorosed maxillary teeth were included in the project. The patients were randomly divided into groups A and B. One hundred and six teeth (Group A) were treated with a non-invasive direct veneer technique, one hundred and ten teeth (Group B) were treated with a minimal-invasive AirTouch abrasion technique (Dentsply). 3M ESPE Masking agent and Filtek Flow, were used in the preparation of the direct composite veneers. The masking ability of the veneer materials was evaluated during the placement visit as well as the follow-up visits three and six months after the placement of the veneers. All partially or completely debonded veneers were noted during the follow-up visits. The results were analyzed using a Two-sided Fisher exact test. RESULTS: The masking ability of the veneers was significantly better when using the minimal-invasive technique compared to the non-invasive technique (p=0,0398). At the three month follow-up there was not a statistically significant difference between the two groups as far as debonded veneers was concerned (p=0,0838). However after six months significantly more of the veneers placed using the non-invasive technique were debonded (p=0,0110). CONCLUSION: The minimal-invasive preparation technique will improve the masking ability and longevity of composite veneers when used in the treatment of fluorosed teeth.