Facially guided multidisciplinary treatment workflow in complex tooth wear

Tooth wear (TW) is a complex multifactorial clinical entity in which minimally invasive protocols should be considered the first choice of treatment to aid in the preservation of damaged tooth structure in the long term. Patients suffering from TW require a comprehensive evaluation and a detailed treatment plan with an occlusal enhancement focus that must be followed by all specialists involved in the therapy. The loss of tooth structure will eventually occur in all three dimensions of space and therefore the restoration will have to address these three aspects. Having a facially driven protocol, especially with the advent of facial scanning devices, brings the final outcome closer to the initial design and the patient’s expectations. It also helps to diminish the distortion that a complex multidisciplinary specialty-generated treatment might bring to the treatment schedule. The incorporation of facial scan technology into the workflow in complex multidisciplinary cases may enhance the communication process and interplay between the dentist and the dental laboratory technician as well as the decision-making within the clinical team. Keywords: digital dentistry, facial scanning, prosthodontics, restorative dentistry, tooth wear