Lee Ann Brady, DMD's Dental Blog

  • Home
  • About Dr. Lee Ann Brady
  • Dental Practice
  • Categories
    • Dental Materials
    • Esthetic Dentistry
    • Occlusion/TMD
    • Practice of Dentistry
    • Preventive Dentistry
    • Restorative Dentistry
    • Restorative Techniques
    • Treatment Planning
    • Videos
    • A-Z Topic List
  • Speaker’s Packet Request
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Dental Materials / Comparing Translucency: Composite and Natural teeth

Comparing Translucency: Composite and Natural teeth

By Lee Ann Brady on 04.24.12Category: Dental Materials, Esthetic Dentistry

Anterior Composite Tooth Prep

The esthetic appearance of natural teeth is produced because of the optical properties of both enamel and dentin. From cervical margin to incisal edge the appearance of a natural tooth changes due to the combination of enamel and dentin. When combined these two layers create the shade variety, translucency and opalescence we see in teeth.

Mimicking this effect with composite depends on understanding the light and color properties of natural teeth and the materials we are using. No one composite has the exact properties of enamel over dentin. Therefore, like nature we will layer composites of varying color and translucency. Hopefully the additive effect will copy the natural teeth surrounding the restoration.Composite Prior To Final Polish

Enamel allows approximately 70% light transmission, while dentin is closer to 50%. None of our composite materials have the same percentage light transmission. Composite materials are available as enamel shades, dentin shades, opaque shades and in some systems opalescent shades. Most enamel composites are less translucent than in reality. Conversely, most of the dentin composite materials are more translucent than natural dentin. Additively we can reproduce the light reflection and transmission of a tooth. Given the properties of composite, it is difficult to impossible to match the tooth with the application of a single shade.

In addition to the different light properties between enamel and dentin, the thickness of the two layers varies depending on the tooth anatomy. This variation in thickness creates what we call chroma gradient. In the cervical region of a natural tooth the enamel is .3-.5mm in thickness and becomes thicker until the incisal edge, which will have areas of no dentin. The interproximal contacts of anterior teeth tend to be enamel from facial to lingual as well, with no dentin in between.

Related

Share

Comments

  1. cxzc says

    April 24, 2012 at 8:13 AM

    catalog

    Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel

Search

Recent Posts

  • Retraction Paste Technique Sensitivity
  • The Next Generation of Glass Ionomer Cements
  • A Fantastic New Temporary Cement
  • Tissue Blanching When Seating An Implant Restoration
  • Is It Time To Get An Intra-oral Impression Scanner?
  • Does Your Team Order The Dental Materials You Want?

Recent Comments

  • Shavon on Allergic Reaction To A Dental Cleaning?
  • Joe on Stick Bite: Why and How
  • Joan Johnson on Post & Core’s Coming Loose?
  • Rosemary on Ugh, The Margins Are Open!
  • Sakshi on Removing An e.max Restoration
  • Jeremy Montrose on Ugh, The Margins Are Open!

Policies

Terms of Use

Privacy Policy

Cancellations and Refunds

Security Seal

© 2020 Lee Ann Brady LLC, All Rights Reserved Site by CSL