3D Design and Perform of Crown-Lengthening & Injectable Composite in 4 Stages

Taking the Benefits of Designing and Planning Smiles In-Office

Assisting dentists in their workflow, in-office digital planning for indirect/direct composite veneer techniques has several benefits, including reducing the overall lab cost, increasing accuracy, and shortening the chairside time.

Dr. Jean van Lierop, South Africa, highlights how to utilize SmileFy Software to deliver visual communication planning with your dental lab to elaborate precise gingivectomy guides according to the in-office digital planning and how to create 3D printable composite veneer models in the second stage of the treatment following the initial digital smile design plan.

By using the injectable composite resin technique, Dr. van Lierop shows how to accurately biocopy the natural-looking teeth shapes of his patient's six upper anterior teeth.

Stage 1: Patient Communication

Chairside Smile Simulation is highly recommended during the initial consultation. This tool enables you to present potential outcomes to your patient and help them understand the importance of various dental cosmetic procedures. In this instance, it was determined that crown lengthening and cosmetic, restorative procedures were necessary to enhance the shape and size of the tooth and close the diastema with direct resin chosen for this treatment outcome.

Stage 2: 3D Smile Design and Lab Communication for Crown Lengthening

A 3D Smile Design was created in the SmileFy Software, guiding the lab technician to create a surgical stent based on the teeth' shape and proportions created in the software by the dentist. The visual information and clinical findings were passed on to the lab technician and a surgical stent was created to guide the crown lengthening using the agreed design.

Stage 3: In-Office 3D Smile Design for Anterior Composite Veneers

Two months post-surgery, new photos and intraoral scans were taken and added to the SmileFy App to update the original 3D design. The emergence profile and final shapes were tweaked to accommodate the post-surgery soft tissue shapes, maintaining accuracy to its original treatment plan regarding shape and overall esthetics of the smile initially discussed with the patient.

The design work was shared directly with the laboratory using the Team-UP feature available within SmileFy, and two models were printed for Injection Molding (alternate models).

After you create the 3D Smile Design, the SmileFy App automatically generates two files for the injection molding technique, a unique feature available to its members.

Transparent IM guides were made using Affinity™ Crystal Clear Matrix Impression material.

Stage 4: Clinical Implementation of Digitally Planned Composite Veneers

Design verification — The design was again tested, and the patient agreed to continue with the final bonding

Relative isolation — Using Optragate by Ivoclar for field isolation

Soft tissue retraction — Sectional cord placed to expose the entire tooth surface

Surface preparation — Teeth cleaned using Air Abrasion 50μm (Velopex AquaCare Single)

Etching and isolation — Partially isolated using Teflon Tape

Bonding — 3M™ Single Bond Universal Adhesive applied and light cured

Injection molding — GC G-aenial Universal Injectable (A1 Shade) used for composite placement

Finishing — Polished using ULTRADENT Jiffy Polisher Cups

Final checks — Occlusion and guidance tested

Follow-Up

Follow-up was completed one week after treatment to assess the composite veneers' integration and soft tissue response.

Patient Satisfaction

The patient was thrilled with the result.

"I was so worried it might look fake or unnatural, but the result is so natural and beautiful. I am so pleased! Everyone loves my new smile!"

Key Clinical Takeaways

In-office digital planning — Reduces lab costs, increases accuracy, and shortens chairside time for composite veneer workflows

SmileFy 3D Smile Design — Enables precise surgical stent fabrication and injection molding guide generation directly from the digital plan

Team-UP collaboration — Seamless lab communication through shared 3D design files ensures consistent execution of the treatment plan

Injectable composite technique — Allows accurate biocopying of digitally designed tooth shapes for natural-looking direct restorations

Staged treatment approach — Crown lengthening followed by composite veneers ensures optimal soft tissue healing and predictable aesthetic outcomes

Video Walkthrough

Watch Dr. Jean van Lierop's full webinar replay on the 3D design and injectable composite workflow with SmileFy: