Digital Dentistry in Complex Aesthetic and Functional Rehabilitation

— The various mechanical, chemical, and functional causes of tooth wear
— The differences between occlusal wear and erosion as distinct causes
— Anterior and posterior wear in terms of etiology, presentation, and clinical implications.

— The role of parafunctional habits, such as bruxism or clenching, in accelerating wear patterns
— Identifying systemic or dietary contributors to chemical erosion
— Understanding how wear progresses over time and how compensatory mechanisms can mask its severity.

— How to assess and define aesthetic outcomes using smile design principles, facial references, and digital planning tools
— How to analyze lip dynamics and tooth display at rest and during function
— The role of facial midline, incisal edge position, and smile arc in aesthetic planning
— Digital smile design tools to visualize and communicate proposed changes
— How to mock up aesthetic plans for patient communication and case acceptance
— Incorporate gingival contouring or crown lengthening to optimize tissue position.

— Establishing functional occlusal schemes based on centric relation and vertical dimension
— Importance of a stable, repeatable reference position (e.g., centric relation)
— Evaluation and definition of the patient’s functional envelope
— Determination and clinical verification of the appropriate vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO)
— Planning anterior guidance and posterior disclusion to protect restorations and reduce muscle strain
— Recognition and proactive management of occlusal instability.

— The essential digital data sets required for treatment planning:

- Intraoral scans
- CBCT
- Photography.

— Facially driven workflows on virtual articulators
— How to use virtual articulation to simulate occlusion and function
— Protocols of facially generated treatment planning for functional and aesthetic outcomes
— Digital workflows to increase accuracy and interdisciplinary communication
— How to verify and cross-reference records to avoid errors in mounting and design.

— Integration of functional, aesthetic, and structural considerations into a cohesive, patient-centered plan
— FAESAD approach for visualization of precise tooth position on a virtual articulator prior to preparation
— Sequencing complex treatment into logical, manageable phases
— Effective collaboration with specialists, laboratories, and interdisciplinary team members
— Clear communication with patients using visual tools and phased treatment options
— Flexibility while preserving the long-term restorative vision.

— Determination of when full-arch or full-mouth cases should be segmented due to financial, clinical, or patient factors
— Planning provisionals and temporization strategies to preserve vertical and occlusal goals
— Evaluation and definition of the patient’s functional envelope
— Determination and clinical verification of the appropriate vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO).

— Use of digital records to maintain consistency across appointments
— Printing resin ceramic “toppers” for segmenting full-mouth rehabilitations
— Documentation of progress and adaptation of the treatment plan without compromising final outcomes
— Analysis of clinical cases. 

— Digital planning and staging of full-mouth cases for one-time execution
— Coordination of records, mock-ups, and guides to ensure same-day predictability
— Orchestration of staffing and scheduling to manage long appointments smoothly
— Establishment of checkpoints for aesthetics, occlusion, and phonetics during provisional phase and final delivery
— Implementation of post-operative protocols to ensure long-term success.