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Digital and Analog – the Hand of Technology in Feldspathic Veneers

Joao Mouzinho
Joao Mouzinho
17
5 min read02 September 2025

Machine translation

Original article is written in PT language (link to read it) .

Introduction

The current philosophy of ceramic veneers is part of a concept of Biomimetic Dentistry, that is, a minimally invasive philosophy.

For many years, the gold standard for veneers has been feldspathic veneers on refractory or platinum foil. Perhaps this remains one of the most validated techniques, but in recent years there has been an integration of digital planning in all phases of the process, which is almost exclusively analog.

The evolution of new digital techniques has helped in the planning, preparation, and diagnosis of veneer cases. Digital planning tools have contributed to the production of veneers based on tooth shapes that closely resemble natural ones due to the libraries of natural teeth that CAD-CAM associated programs contain. They also allow for the simulation of dental shapes on the face, from a digital clone (3D facial scan and collection of dental shapes with an intraoral scanner). We can also produce 3D printed guides for correcting gingival margins or for testing the position, shape, and size of veneers before placing the final ceramic veneers.

In this article, we will present a clinical case where ceramic veneers were performed, but all the planning was done digitally.

Clinical case

A 27-year-old male patient, with no relevant health issues, sought conservative treatment to improve the aesthetics of his anterior teeth. After an initial evaluation, we understood that it could be a case suitable for feldspathic ceramic veneers. In the first consultation, after clinical and radiographic evaluation, initial photographs and videos were taken to enable digital planning. For this planning, we used a facial scanner (Bellus 3D) and an intraoral scanner (Trios 3, 3shape). A virtual wax-up was performed, allowing us to create a mock-up for the patient, which was approved in the second consultation. In this consultation, gingivectomy, dental preparations, and definitive impressions were carried out. In the third consultation, we proceeded with the bonding of feldspathic veneers on 10 teeth (from 15 to 25).

Fig. 1. Initial extraoral photograph.
Fig. 2. Initial intraoral photograph.
Fig. 3. Initial intraoral photograph.
Fig. 4. Upper and lower model resulting from the intraoral scanner.
Fig. 5. 3D model of the patient's face resulting from the facial scanner.
Fig. 6. Modeling of the patient's face in software.
Fig. 7. Initial frontal facial photos.
Fig. 8. Initial lateral facial photos.
Fig. 9. Initial frontal facial photos with retractor for matching with the intraoral scanner.
Fig. 10. Communication with the laboratory (facial).
Fig. 11. Communication with the laboratory (intraoral).
Fig. 12. Virtual simulation of dental shapes in 2D.
Fig. 13. STL model of the mock-up for printing.
Fig. 14. 3D facial simulation of the rock-up.
Fig. 15. Simulation of the frontal gingivectomy.
Fig. 16. Simulation of the lateral gingivectomy.
Fig. 17. Mock-up in mouth – facial.
Fig. 18. Test veneers – shape, size, and position trial.
Fig. 19. Gingivectomy guide performed with an electric scalpel.
Fig. 20. Dental preparations on the mock-up.
Fig. 21. Facets on the refractory model.
Fig. 22. Ceramic facets – laboratory images in backlight (view of the incisal edge).
Fig. 23. Ceramic veneers – front image.
Fig. 24. Ceramic veneers – side image.
Fig. 25. Ceramic veneers – side view.
Fig. 26. Final facial photo.
Fig. 27. Final extraoral photograph.
Fig. 28. Final intraoral photograph.
Fig. 29. Final intraoral photograph.

Discussion/conclusion

The choice of feldspathic ceramics over refractory ones is due to their high aesthetics. The greatest advantage of digital planning is the replication of the shape, size, and texture of natural teeth, which are always reproducible from virtual waxing to the fabrication of the final restorations. The use of gingivectomy guides allows for control over the final position of the margins, and the printing of 3D test veneers enables the patient to test the shape, size, and position of the final veneers.

The use of biomimetic principles allows for biological, aesthetic, and functional results in dental procedures.

Bibliography

  1. Layton DM. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the survival of the feldspathic porcelain veneers over 5 and 10 years. Int J Prosthodontics, 2012, vol 25 Issue 6, p.590-603.
  2. Peumans B. Porcelain veneers: a review of the literature. Dentistry, 28 (2000) 163-177.
  3. Magne P, Belser U. Bonded porcelain restorations in the anterior dentition: a biomimetic approach. 2003, quintpub.com.
Digital implantologyDigital orthodonticsDigital periodontologyDigital dental technicianDigital dentistry