title: Applications for direct composite restorations in orthodontics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Besides prosthetic and indirect, laboratory-produced restorations, the focus of dental therapy is increasingly on restorative measures and direct restorations as minimally invasive treatment concepts. Thus, the use of direct composite restorations with modern restorative materials for the shaping and recontouring of teeth in combination with orthodontic treatment offers a diversified, extensive sphere of application. The aim of the study was to demonstrate applications for direct composite restorations with reference to selected cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  The composites used were hybrid composites, which offer increased abrasion resistance and color stability and are applied incrementally. Special attention was paid to the shape, color and structure of the tooth.
  
  
  METHODS
  The case reports present patients in whom relatively narrow or peg-shaped teeth were built up with composite to correct various tooth size discrepancies or cuspids were recontoured by means of direct composite restorations following orthodontic space closure in cases with missing lateral incisors. Similarly, space closure was achieved using orthodontically repositioned lateral incisors recontoured to resemble central incisors after traumatic loss of upper central incisors. Finally, direct composite restorations were used for retention following completion of orthodontic treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Observations over recent years confirm the stability of composites in both form and color, as well as their ability to maintain gingival health. Our case reports demonstrate that, subject to a corresponding indication, recontouring single teeth using direct composite restorations can optimize orthodontic treatment results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, University of Heidelberg, Germany. eva_muessig@med.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Müssig
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Lux
authors.forename: Hans Jörg
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Staehle
authors.forename: Angelika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stellzig-Eisenhauer
authors.forename: Gerda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Komposch
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D017220:Dentin-Bonding Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D006801:Humans; D019516:Orthodontic Space Closure / Q000379:methods; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014071:Tooth Abnormalities / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; C029012:Composite Dental Resin; D003188:Composite Resins; D017220:Dentin-Bonding Agents; C466112:Esthet-X; D011140:Polyurethanes