Smile Restoration of a Dental Anxiety Patient Using Same-Day Chairside CAD/CAM and Esthetic Zirconia.

Abstract

This clinical case study describes the smile restoration of a 33-year-old female patient who exhibited severe dental anxiety, multiple cavities, discoloration, and a fractured tooth. The patient's complex dental history and anxiety-driven treatment preferences posed challenges that were met with a minimally invasive strategy. The case involved meticulous diagnosis, leveraging advanced diagnostic wax-ups, and a comprehensive treatment plan. Esthetic zirconia material was utilized to enable the preservation of tooth structure while achieving visually appealing and functional outcomes, and CAD/CAM technology facilitated same-day restorations with superior marginal fit, aided by the precision of a digital intraoral scanner. The patient's dental anxiety strongly influenced the treatment approach, leading to the integration of smile enhancement alongside caries treatment. The use of a single cement and bond product simplified the final cementation process, while the versatility of the zirconia CAD/CAM material allowed for fabrication of various restoration types with minimal tooth reduction. This streamlined workflow expedited treatment, which was especially crucial for the anxious patient undergoing sedation.