Harvest Dental’s Temp Esthetic Polychromatic Anterior Provisionals

By Matthew R. Roberts, CDT, AAACD

Esthetic overlays are one of the most exciting developments in dentistry today. They allow the patient to try-in and wear a very realistic representation of what could be accomplished by having provisional veneers. This can be accomplished during a very short clinical appointment and is not dependent upon the clinician’s skill with direct composite or the clinician’s willingness to spend the required time working on a direct composite mockup.

As with many new developments in dentistry, esthetic overlays came about when a new technology met a new product. In this case, Harvest Dental’s Temp Esthetic Multi-Translucency Double Cross linked PMMA and the 3Shape design software along with Ivoclar Vivadent’s Zenotec select hybrid 5-axis milling system. The RealView Engine™ feature in the 3Shape software allows the design to be overlaid with a facial photograph of the patient, so the technician designing the case can view a “virtual digital try-in” of the design and customize it to the patient’s esthetic needs. Harvest Dental’s Temp Esthetic is easy to polish, and due to its 17 layers of incisal gradient, it exhibits a very realistic translucency and overall appearance in the mouth, giving the patient a truly beautiful smile.

To accomplish this, start by taking a digital impression of the patient’s existing clinical situation, or scanning in a stone model. Also, take a digital photograph of the patient in a “big smile” position, looking straight into the lens. Then, import the scans and photos into the software. Designate the number of teeth to redesign in the case setup. With common landmarks marked, the photo is synchronized to the scanned model in the software, giving the try-in 3D design potential.

While looking at the photo and the scanned models, the technician designs a series of very thin overlays that improve the patient’s appearance. Once this design is complete, the software “cuts into the existing dentition,” creating very thin bridges that will fit over the unprepared teeth. The design is sent to the milling system, which is loaded with a Harvest Temp Esthetic puck. The esthetic overlays can be milled to be very thin—0.2 mm is not uncommon. Once the milling is complete, the prototypes are removed from the puck, and the attachment areas are smoothed prior to texturing and polishing. Polishing can be performed with any number of paste and brush systems. I use a No. 11 soft Robinson brush with Renfert Opal L polishing compound for the initial shine and then a pre-impregnated Brasseler Fine Provisional Polisher for the final high shine.

Once completed, the esthetic overlays are tried-in the patient’s mouth and photographed. Friends or family can be there for the try-in, and photographs can be sent home with the patient. In my experience, having the patient be able to experience the shape and form of the new design in the mouth is one of the most rewarding aspects of this process. Acceptance of treatment is very high with patients who have been through the esthetic overlay process.

Disclaimer: The statements and opinions contained in the preceding material are and not of the editors, publisher, or the Editorial Board of Inside Dental Technology.

Key Takeaways

• Esthetic overlays allow the patient to try-in and wear a very realistic representation of what could be accomplished by having provisional veneers
• Temp Esthetic is easy to polish, and due to its 17 layers of incisal gradient, it exhibits a very realistic translucency and overall appearance in the mouth
• Acceptance of treatment is very high

About the Author

Matthew R. Roberts, CDT, AAACD
Founder
CMR Dental Laboratory
Idaho Falls, ID

Manufacturer Information

Harvest Dental
harvestdental.com
800-706-7599