Gold Advantage E-Newsletter - January 2009

Tales From The Bench—
The Dreaded Black Triangle!

By Paul Lindsey

This quarterly feature will highlight case corrections and tips from the bench that optimize the results learned from cases before you!

When it comes to a smile design case, one area of concern for the clinician and laboratory is the interproximal space in a diastema closure case causing the dreaded outcome of black triangles instead of healthy papilla formation. Special attention needs to be taken into consideration to the preparation when accomplishing an effective interproximal closure. The following represents 2 primary factors will help to avoid this outcome:

Sub-Gingival Preparation: The first is the interproximal margin. The margin needs to be placed slightly sub gingival. Placing the margin in this location allows the ceramic to emerge for the tissue in an ideal and natural contour. If the margin is supra gingival the ceramist must over extend the margin creating an over contoured restoration.
Finish Line: The second area of concern is where to finish the interproximal margin. A slice prep margin should be used if the contact is opened during the preparation or closure of the contact is desired. If the prep is stopped at the contact point a wall of porcelain is required to close the space. The facial aspect of the veneer will look ideal, however the lingual portion will create a potential food trap. The slice prep allows for the ideal cleanse-ability and effective closure of the interproximal space.

Tales From The Bench—The Dreaded Black Triangle!

Tales From The Bench—
The Dreaded Black Triangle!