The demand for esthetically pleasing restorations in clinical dentistry is ever growing. There are a variety of procedures and material options to choose from. This choice is based upon the wants and desires of the patient. It is very challenging for the dentist to satisfy the needs while at the same time keeping within the budget of the patient. As dentists, it is required of us to develop the skill sets for providing esthetically pleasing results without compromising the biological and functional principles of natural dentition. There is usually no one procedure or material indicated for all situations and providing the patient with multiple options is the key. Veneers are well suited for esthetic and conservative improvement of anterior and posterior teeth. Laboratory fabricated porcelain or composite resin veneers present optimal esthetics and durability. Direct composite veneers provide an additional viable option to the clinician to use where porcelain veneers cannot be used of afforded. Mastering the art of direct composite resin veneering is not easy and is highly technique sensitive. However, when performed for the appropriate case it allows for artistic expression and very impressive clinical results. Here we present a clinical case where a young patient who could not afford extensive dental restorative or orthodontic treatment was treated with direct composite resin veneering to correct misaligned anterior maxillary teeth. The results obtained were both esthetically and functionally acceptable and allowed for the patient to have a smile she otherwise could not attain.
Key Words: Veneers; composite resin; direct composite veneering; misaligned teeth; aesthetics.
