There are specific tools that can be used to ensure a consistent message travels between everyone involved so that the desired outcome can be achieved, with no surprises for anyone. The first step, no matter what type of enhancement is required, is diagnosis and treatment planning.

Esthetic dental restorations, whether porcelain veneers, all-ceramic restorations, or esthetic metal ceramics, have a specific space requirement for ideal esthetics. Understanding the individual esthetic materials requirements for esthetics and long-term durability is paramount for restorative success.

This article will discuss the authors’ modified Geller cast technique that allows removable dies and interchangeable refractory dies, and maintains the soft tissue elements in die stone.

The development of new high-gold metal systems provide a more esthetic outcome than conventional castable metals. Newer generation porcelains have been developed with improved physical properties and decreased abrasion potential. With these newer metal and ceramic combinations, proper preparation, and metal framework design, it is possible to rival all-ceramic restorations in esthetic appearance.

Developing a successful laboratory partnership will be one of the most important goals throughout a practice life, but especially when starting out.

This article will focus on the techniques and armamentarium for photography and the use of Photoshop® (Adobe Systems, Inc, San Jose, CA) as a communication tool with the ceramist. This article will only go briefly into camera selection and camera settings.

This article is intended to give rational guidelines on preparation parameters for porcelain veneers, particularly the issue of “to prep or not to prep” and, if prepping, “how much.”