ABSTRACT: The emergence and development of resin-based materials, such as resin composites and adhesive systems, have shifted the restorative treatment of anterior teeth with caries lesions and/or fractures. Thus, based on the disadvantages of indirect restorations, direct esthetic restorations are restorative options even for anterior teeth with exten sive loss of hard tissues. This study aimed to describe and discuss the direct resin composite restoration performed to solve the esthetic and functional impairments of the upper anterior teeth with diastemas. The upper left central incisor received total crown preparation for indirect restoration. Clinical results after 10 years were recorded. Considering the clinical characteris tics of dental restorations, it is possible to conclude that direct resin composite restorations reestablished the esthetic and functional properties satisfactorily, even in a tooth with extensive coronal destruction. The success of the restorative treatm ent was dependent on factors related to the materials´ properties, oral habits of the patient, and mostly the clinical skills of th e dental clinician.

RESUMEN: La aparición y el desarrollo de materiales con base de resina, como las resinas compuestas y los sistemas adhesivos, han cambiado el tratamiento restaurador de los dientes anteriores con lesiones de caries y/o fracturas. Por lo tanto, en base a las desventajas de las restauraciones indirectas, las restauraciones estéticas directas son opciones de restauración, incluso para los dientes anteriores con una gran pérdida de tejidos duros. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo describir y discutir la restauración directa con resina compuesta, realizada para solucionar las deficiencias estéticas y funcionales de los dientes anteriores superiores con diastemas. El incisivo central superior izquierdo recibió preparación de corona total para restauración indirecta. Se registraron los resultados clínicos después de 10 años. Considerando las características clínicas de las restauraciones dentales, es posible concluir que las restauraciones directas en resina compuesta restablecieron las propiedades estéticas y funcionales satisfactoriamente, incluso en un diente con destrucción coronal extensa. El éxito del tratamiento restaurador dependió de factores relacionados con las propiedades de los materiales, los hábitos bucales del paciente y, sobre todo, las habilidades clínicas del odontólogo.

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of preheating and post-curing methods on diametral tensile strength (DTS), flexural strength (FS), knoop microhardness (KHN), and degree of conversion (DC) of an experimental fiber-reinforced composite (FRC). Specimens (30 wt% of 3-mm-short E-glass fiber, 22.5 wt% of methacrylated-based resin and 47.5 wt% of filler particles) were subjected to: P – photocuring at 1500 mW/cm2 for 40 s (control); P/M – photocuring and microwave post-curing (540W/5 minutes); P/A – photocuring and autoclave post-curing (120°C/15 minutes); PH-P – preheating (60°C) and photocuring; PH-P/M – preheating, photocuring and microwave post-curing; and PH-P/A – preheating, photocuring and autoclave post-curing. Specimens for DTS (Ø 3 x 6 mm) and FS (25 x 2 x 2 mm) were tested at Instron 5965. KHN employed a 50g load for 30s. DC was measured using FTIR spectroscopy. Statistical analysis employed: factorial analysis, normality test, one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test, independent T-test and the Dunnett test. Interaction between factors was not significant (P>0.05). Preheating promoted significantly higher values of FS and KHN (p = 0.0001). Post-curing promoted significantly higher values for KHN (p = 0.0001). For DTS (p = 0.066) and DC (p= 0.724) no statistical difference was found between groups. SEM images showed that preheating promoted better interaction between glass fibers and resin matrix. Preheating increased FS, KHN and DTS, and post-curing increased KHN. DC was not affected by both methods. Preheating and post-curing methods can be used to improve some mechanical properties of FRCs’ but degree of conversion remains unaffected.