This article does an outstanding job of focusing on the use of the surgical optical microscope within the specific example of identification of enamel cracks. The review presented herein provides exceptionally important information for the restorative dentist from several different perspectives.

This article gives new guidelines for recognition, visualization, classification, and treatment of cracked teeth based on the routine use of 16x magnification. The significance of enamel cracks as they relate to dentinal cracks is detailed.

For most disciplines involved in interdisciplinary care, fees are based upon performing procedures they do routinely and in a fairly predictable time frame. For restorative dentists, however, complex interdisciplinary care requires a different approach to setting fees than is used for their day-to-day routine procedures.

The following case report illustrates the unfortunate consequences of uncoordinated and unplanned multidisciplinary treatment that was recognized by the patient and brought to the attention of the treating dentist.