Bio-Rejuvenation Dentistry

Generalized tooth wear, attrition, and erosion can significantly decrease an individual’s vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO). Considered the 3-D space between fixed and movable occluding anatomic components when either resting or functioning, VDO is the cornerstone for ensuring a healthy and functional occlusion, as well as appropriate restoration proportions and ideal smile design for long-term service and patient satisfaction.

Therefore, it is imperative that a patient’s VDO be re-established when full-mouth rehabilitations are undertaken to treat generalized tooth wear VDO significantly affects restorative outcomes and influences patient comfort, aesthetics, restoration anatomy and morphology, material selection, and treatment longevity (ie, the likelihood of withstanding mastication forces)

The ideal VDO varies among individuals; is affected by stress, posture, disease, medication, airway, and other factors; and can be determined in a number of ways, including the use of cephalometry, diagnostic wax-ups or set-ups, and/or phonetic sounds  Regardless, according to Dr. Bob Lee’s minimally invasive bio-rejuvenation dentistry principles, determining and restoring a patient’s VDO should be predicated on the joints seating in their most superior, anterior, and medial position (ie, anterior proprioceptive guidance), which would enable proper tooth form, appropriate occlusion with maximal intercuspal position, and reduced masseter and temporalis elevating muscle activity. When the joints (ie, condyle/disc complex) are healthy and functioning properly, a physiologically correct occlusal relationship is observed with little to no attrition, anterior teeth occlude properly, posterior teeth are non-interfering, and the inferior lateral pterygoid muscle releases during elevator muscle contraction and maximal intercuspal position .

In the absence of a healthy and comfortable joint relationship, it is necessary to stabilize, rehabilitate, and adapt the patient’s occlusion. Additive interim restorations, in addition to deprogrammers and other orthotic devices, have been used to stabilize and simultaneously alter an individual’s occlusion

 In particular, a Condylar Centering Orthotic (C2O) device is a custom-made, clear acrylic splint that is worn in the mouth  until joint stabilization is achieved (ie, an average of 6 to 12 weeks); weekly splint adjustments are necessary to ensure proper jaw positioning.

Additive restorations (ie, direct composite), on the other hand, historically have been intended to enhance aesthetics for the short term and to enable dentists and patients to evaluate the anticipated therapeutic results of definitive, yet more invasive and costly, indirect partial- or full-coverage restorative treatments. However, whereas traditional full-mouth rehabilitation with indirect restorations commits patients to a lifetime of expensive re-restorations, additive adhesive composite resin reconstruction is predictable, minimally invasive, and cost effective for many patients with generalized wear and loss of VDO.12,18 It can also be considered a “long-term” solution if the following principles of biologic occlusion are met: (1) a verified, fully seated joint; (2) biologic tooth morphology; and (3) proper form of the occluded dentition (ie, an interarch relationship).

Fortunately, recent advancements in the material characteristics (eg, strength, wear resistance and durability, and lower polymerization shrinkage), optical properties (eg, more shades and opacities), and handling (eg, thixotropic, easier to polish with higher gloss/luster) of direct composites lend to their use for the long-term restoration of VDO in cases of generalized wear, according to the principles of minimally invasive bio-rejuvenation dentistry.

 Among the materials available is an injectable nanohybrid composite  that demonstrates high strength, excellent wear resistance, high gloss retention, precise handling, and lifelike aesthetics. The author has found this to be an ideal injectable composite resin material when undertaking the bio-rejuvenation techniques in his practice, and the protocol for its use will be described in the following case presentation.

Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

A 49-year-old male patient presented with severe wear and erosion of all of his teeth, resulting in a decreased VDO and mid-facial collapse . The patient was self-conscious about his facial and smile appearance, and he was also aware of, and concerned about, having already destroyed much of his natural tooth structure. He was reluctant to further “grind down” even more of his natural teeth to accommodate indirect full-coverage crown restorations.

Diagnostic records were obtained (ie, a proper series of photographs, radiographs, full-arch/full-mouth VPS impressions, a centric relation [CR] bite registration, a face-bow transfer, and models), and a comprehensive examination was performed. The examination revealed generalized severe wear of the teeth, resulting in decreased VDO . Tooth No. 12 had previously been restored with an oversized, full-coverage crown restoration. The patient’s periodontal health was excellent, and there were no systemic or medical issues contraindicating treatment.

An examination of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) demonstrated the need to stabilize the joints prior to determining and restoring the patient’s VDO. Thorough model analysis was completed using mounted study models on an AD2 Semi-Adjustable articulator  

 It was explained to the patient that by first stabilizing his jaw joints and muscles with the condyles seated in the CR position, it would be possible to restore his worn teeth to an aesthetic, functional, and comfortable position in a minimally invasive and cost-effective manner that would simultaneously enhance his overall facial appearance. However, the patient was informed that despite the enhanced durability and wear-resistance of direct composite resins, he should expect the need for ongoing maintenance and repairs in the years ahead. Given the minimally invasive nature of this treatment plan, this was acceptable to him.

The bio-rejuvenation treatment planned for the patient would therefore first involve stabilizing his condyles, subsequently opening his VDO, and then doing minimally invasive bio-rejuvenation dentistry with direct composite restorations. Teeth Nos. 2 to 11, Nos. 14 and 15, and Nos. 18 to 31 would be treated using a combination of universal injectable composite  and characterization glazes . The composite selected for this case demonstrates physical and material characteristics similar to compactable composites, with requisite strength and wear resistance, ability to easily polish, and enamel-like properties.

Tooth No. 12, which had previously been treated with an oversized, full-coverage crown restoration, along with tooth No. 13, was treatment planned for High Density Micronization (HDM) lithium disilicate full-coverage restorations . Since it would have been difficult to properly increase the anterio-posterior width of tooth No. 13 with composite, both teeth Nos. 12 and 13 were restored with crowns to create unity and resolve size discrepancy issues.

Determining VDO

To make a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan based on the now stabilized joints, an open CR bite record was taken at a VDO that would enable restoration to proper tooth form, horizontal overjet, overbite, and centric contacts (Figure 8). Alginate impressions were taken, after which models were poured and mounted on a semi-adjustable articulator with a face-bow transfer.2,25 Aesthetically and functionally, the patient had lost VDO, and analyzing the mounted models confirmed it would be possible to restore teeth Nos. 2 to 11, Nos. 14 and 15, and Nos. 18 to 31 with an additive, bio-rejuvenation approach.

A complete diagnostic wax-up was then fabricated by the dental laboratory team, taking into consideration the correct incisal edge/length, emergence profile, and other morphologic characteristics (eg, biologic principles) for the patient’s rejuvenated teeth . The wax-up, along with clear vinyl polysiloxane (VPS) ) stints for accurately transferring the wax-up to the mouth using an injectable composite resin, as well as the acrylic validators for verifying accuracy of the completed restorations, were returned to the dental office.

Minimally Invasive Bio-Rejuvenation

In this case, the goal of minimally invasive bio-rejuvenation treatment was to establish an ideal VDO that would correspond with and support the patient’s improved joint/muscle relationship. First, the lower incisors would be restored. They were micro-abraded, with no enamel prepared/removed. The teeth were acid-etched for 20 seconds and rinsed thoroughly and dried, after which a universal adhesive  was applied, air thinned, and light cured.

Next, with the matrix stint (Lumaloc ) in place in the mouth, the teeth were restored using shade A1 of the injectable composite . The composite was then light cured through the clear stint, after which it was removed. Once the initial replacement layer had been placed and cured, the accuracy of the restorations was confirmed with the validator . Once the teeth were restored with the A1 shade, the teeth were polished to completion. Then the rest of the mouth was restored in the following order: maxillary incisors (occlusion verified); maxillary and mandibular first molars (occlusion verified); maxillary and mandibular premolars (note: teeth Nos. 12 and 13 were provisionalized with Tempsmart Provisional crowns, and the occlusion was verified); maxillary and mandibular cuspids (occlusion verified); and, finally, maxillary and mandibular second molars .

Lifelike characterizations were imparted by cutting back 0.3 mm of the facial composite and then using a variety of light-cured color characterization glazes . The final enamel layer was created by applying the JE shade of the same injectable composite over the now characterized dentin A-1 layer. The restorations were then polished to completion, thus enhancing mammelons, translucencies, and other characterizations created by the utilization of the OPTIGLAZE Color.

Full-arch polyether impressions  were taken for the fabrication of the lithium disilicate full-coverage crown restorations by the dental lab team for teeth Nos. 12 and 13. These restorations were seated at a subsequent appointment .

In this case, the patient was restored to a fully functioning occlusion  at a comfortable VDO, which simultaneously enhanced his facial and smile appearance. By restoring his occlusion to a stable condylar position in CR at a proper VDO, a position at which his mastication muscles were relaxed and functioning comfortably, his facial muscles and smile also became more relaxed, with minimal pressure .