CLINICAL RESEARCH
The scalpel finishing technique:
a tooth-friendly way to finish dental
composites in anterior teeth
Elaine Kup, DDS, MSc
Associate Assistant, Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics,
Faculty of Dental Surgery, Paris
Member of the Biomimetic Pole of the Dentistry Service, Charles Foix Hospital,
Ivry-sur-Seine, France
Gil Tirlet, DDS, PhD
Senior Lecturer, Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Surgery, Paris
Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Montrouge, France
Department of Restorative and Prosthetic Dentistry, APHP
Head of the Biomimetic Pole of the Dentistry Service, Charles Foix Hospital,
Ivry-sur-Seine, France
Private Practice, Paris
Jean-Pierre Attal, DDS, PhD
Senior Lecturer, Department of Biomaterials (URB2i, EA4462), Faculty of Dental Surgery,
Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Montrouge, France
Department of Restorative Dentistry, APHP, Dentistry Service at the Charles Foix Hospital,
Ivry-sur-Seine, France
Private Practice, Paris
Correspondence to: Elaine Kup
Diderot: Garanciére/Rothschild Hospital – Dentistry Service, Paris, France, 15, Chemin du Buisson Guerin-Mareil Marly 78750,
France; E-mail: elaine_kup@[Link]
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Abstract
Optimal results can be obtained on di- Enhanced movement control and fine
rect restorations by the application of fingertip perception of the surface tex-
layering procedures that combine the ture while moving the scalpel blade al-
accurate morphological insertion of re- low the operator to detect and cut the
storative materials with the knowledge excess composite material during the
of the optical and mechanical properties margination procedure and to refine the
of both composite resin and natural hard final anatomy. Avoiding the use of finish-
dental tissue. Even if the finishing pro- ing burs during finishing procedures on
cedures on restorations, such as mar- direct composite restorations may save
gination (the trimming of margins), are adjacent enamel surfaces from abrasive
minimized by anatomical layering tech- damage. The composite surface and
niques, finishing can still be highly com- margins may also benefit from using the
plicated due to a number of pre-finishing scalpel finishing technique, considering
sequences using specific instruments the potential risk of excess removal and
proposed in the literature, which include surface crazing that the improper use of
finishing burs and abrasive discs. Fin- finishing burs could cause to composite
ishing procedures performed with a material. The purpose of this article is to
scalpel on polymerized direct compos- propose and describe the scalpel finish-
ite restorations can improve the quality of ing technique step by step, as well as
the final sculptured surface by develop- to briefly discuss the advantages of its
ing natural contours and characteristics application within the limits of a clinical
and by removing the excess restorative case report.
material at the tooth-structure margin. (Int J Esthet Dent 2015;10:XXX–XXX)
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Introduction and subsurface, which would decrease
the longevity of the restoration.7,8
The latest composite resins have evolved Some studies have shown that the
to become some of the most versatile use of diamond finishing burs could lead
materials in the science of dental res- to crazing and composite loss, creating
torations. Available in a wide range of surface irregularities.9,10 Microfill com-
viscosities correlated mostly to filler con- posites can develop microfractures
tent, hybrid (microhybrid), microfill, and when finished with carbide burs.11 Al-
nanofill/nanohybrid composite formula- though microhybrid composites have
tions offer a choice of different mechani- been shown to “pluck out” during fin-
cal and physical properties for a variety ishing and polishing procedures, they
of clinical applications.1 These materials have also been shown to be more re-
are also able to provide some potential sistant to surface microfractures during
additional benefits, such as proper mar- finishing procedures when compared to
gin adaptation, less structure wear, less other classes of composites.11,12 Nano-
long-term staining, and higher surface filled composites apparently exhibit the
polishability.2-5 lowest incidence of surface defects after
Unfortunately, studies have shown finishing and polishing, regardless of the
that bonded composite restorations are polishing system used.4
not only sensitive to certain materials but Excessive removal of composite ma-
also to particular techniques.6 Even if terial can lead to voids and margin de-
the finishing restorative procedures are fects of the material, as well as to poor
minimized by anatomical layering tech- esthetics. Marginal breakdown will re-
niques, a composite restoration must sult in early wear, discoloration, plaque
undergo proper finishing and polishing retention, periodontal tissue irritation,
procedures once it is placed and fully and the patient’s tactile detection of the
cured in order to ensure perfect con- restoration.3 Clinical and in vitro stud-
tours and longevity, minimize plaque ac- ies have shown that residual surface
cumulation, and achieve the expected roughness of composites can influence
esthetic results. plaque retention, which usually results in
Finishing and polishing procedures superficial staining, gingival inflamma-
have to be considered in addition to all tion, and secondary caries.13-15
the other known parameters relating to Nevertheless, apart from the potential
the longevity of composite restorations. damage to the composite surface that
Improper finishing and overheating must be considered during these pro-
caused by repeated polishing have the cedures, great caution should also be
potential to jeopardize the restoration taken not to overwear sound surround-
surface and the marginal integrity of the ing tooth structure with finishing carbide
restoration. Even in the case of minimal or diamond burs and abrasive discs
mechanical finishing, heat and vibration during finishing procedures.16 Adjacent
may damage the surface of the com- enamel should be preserved mostly in-
posite and can lead to the formation of tact, and tertiary anatomy must be cre-
microcracks along the material surface ated on the composite surface to meet
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and mirror the adjacent enamel, and not steps: finishing, margination, and pol-
the other way around. ishing.17
Excessively uniform and even brilliant Finishing, in the dental context, is the
surfaces are mostly found in age-worn generic concept of removing excess ma-
teeth. Removing and over-smoothing terial while defining anatomic contours.
adjacent enamel structure during exces- Margination or recontouring is part of the
sive or repeated finishing procedures finishing process. It refers to the removal
with abrasive instruments can erase of the excess, overhanging restorative
the original, beautiful, natural texture of material at the cavosurface margins,
the enamel surface, creating an “aged” creating a smooth continuity from one
tooth aspect particularly on the buccal surface to another. During the process
surfaces of anterior teeth. The natural of margination, both technique and the
microtopography of the enamel should finishing instruments used have to be
be respected and taken into account to carefully chosen to ensure maximum re-
achieve more visually pleasing esthetic spect for the adjacent dental tissue and
results. structure while reproducing the normal
In this article, for the first time, we pro- anatomic shape of the restored area.
pose the use of a scalpel blade instead In most cases, dentists use sequential
of traditional abrasive finishing burs to diamond finishing burs to perform the
remove any overhang of polymerized finishing processes of contouring and
restorative material, as well as for con- adjusting.
touring direct composite restoration Polishing refers to the process of
margins and refining sculpture details smoothing away tiny residual surface
during finishing and before polishing defects left behind after finishing and
procedures. margination.
Our experience has shown that gross
reduction, coarse finishing, and margin-
Brief discussion: finishing ation using a scalpel blade could stra-
tegically contribute to a reduction and
and polishing
simplification of finishing steps, leaving
There is some misunderstanding in the a pre-polished surface ready for final
literature, as well as in professional den- polishing (Fig 1a). Due to the dynamics
tal language, about the difference be- of rotary instruments, damage that is dif-
tween the procedural steps of finishing ficult to control could occur on the sur-
and polishing. Although they are often face that these instruments touch. The
mentioned together, these two proced- bur’s fast, abrasive action immediately
ures actually have unique and specific widens the initial area with which it comes
goals. A chronological progression of into contact, which may result in more
steps needs to be respected that always material being removed than is desired
starts with gross reduction and contour- or is necessary, or in a flatter surface
ing and ends with final polishing. Basi- design. When using a static instrument
cally, we can divide the 2-step finishing such as a scalpel, due to the operator’s
and polishing procedures into 3 main better control of the working speed and
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Fig 1a SEM image (Biomaterial laboratory, Par- Fig 1b SEM image of a microhybrid composite
is V University, Montrouge, France) of a microhy- surface (Enamel Plus HFO-GE2, Micerium) submit-
brid composite (Enamel Plus HFO-GE2, Micerium) ted to the abrasive action of a red diamond finish-
surface entirely submitted to the peeling action ing bur, applying finishing movements parallel to
of a No. 15 scalpel blade. A smoother surface is the surface. The surface topography shows a much
achieved when compared to the surface trimmed rougher texture when compared to the finish ob-
by a red diamond finishing bur (Fig 1b). tained using the No. 15 scalpel blade (Fig 1a).
of the amount of surface affected, dam- ment for cutting composite during finish-
age to a hard substrate surface is lim- ing. When used on polymerized direct
ited to the area under the blade’s curve. composite materials to define anatom-
Further, particularly on the composite ical contours (gross reduction, course
surface, damage can be controlled and finishing, and margination), as well as
stopped faster and more precisely with to refine surface sculpture, the scalpel’s
a scalpel than when a high-speed rotary thin blade enables the operator to create
instrument is being used. complex micro-anatomical details that
will lead to better light-reflecting kinet-
The scalpel as a finishing ics and tooth-restoration harmonization
instrument without damaging the composite sur-
face or adjacent dental tissue. Finishing
The use of a No. 12B scalpel blade to with a blade compared to a diamond bur
remove excess or unbounded resin will lead to a smoother micro-surface,
from proximal areas has already been simplifying and shortening the polishing
described.1 In this article, we propose procedures. Figure 1a shows a SEM im-
to describe the use of a scalpel (mostly age of the microtopographic aspect of a
a No. 15 or No. 15C blade) as the main microhybrid composite surface that has
finishing instrument, not only for excess been entirely submitted to the action of
composite removal from areas that are a No.
15 scalpel blade, positioned at
difficult to access, but also as an instru- an approximate 30-degree angle to the
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Fig 2a Initial photo of maxillary teeth
taken a few weeks after the removal of or-
thodontic fixed appliances.
Fig 2b Frontal view of anterior teeth in
maximum intercuspation (MI). Patient dis-
plays a shallow vertical overlap.
composite in a horizontal peeling move- maxillary incisor tooth (or peg tooth)
ment to simulate a gross reduction ac- (Figs 2a and 2b).
tion. Figure 1b shows a SEM image of With a view to the future restoration,
the same microhybrid composite, sub- the orthodontist had left a symmetric
mitted this time to a fine grit red-ring fin- space equivalent to the width of the nor-
ishing bur (50 µ grit). mal contralateral tooth, distal and me-
As the scalpel blade will only cut com- sial to the conoid tooth. The space was
posite material when used on a hard maintained (and still is to this day) by
tooth surface, it can be considered a means of a fixed wired palatal retention
material-selective and tooth-friendly fin- (Figs 3a and 3b).
ishing instrument.
Therapeutic options
A minimally invasive bonded ceramic
Case report veneer on a modified prepless tooth in-
tervention was proposed to the patient,
Step-by-step description of considering the expected longevity, op-
the scalpel finishing technique timal esthetic results, and tissue pres-
ervation provided by this restoration.
A 17-year-old woman, having just fin- Nevertheless, the patient’s mother asked
ished orthodontic treatment, consulted for a less expensive and more direct so-
for an esthetic solution on her conoid lution.
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a b
c d
Fig 3 (a and b) Right (conoid) tooth and left lateral views in MI occlusion. (c) Close-up view of the
normal contralateral tooth that will serve as a reference to create a symmetric morphology on the conoid
contralateral tooth. (d) Projection of translucent mirror image of normal contralateral reference on the peg
tooth. The image allows previsualization of the composite adjunction that will be necessary to reproduce
the desired anatomic contours.
We then proposed a direct composite the possibility of repairing composites,
bonded restoration with no bur removal and following the philosophy of maxi-
of tooth structure (prepless technique) mum tooth preservation over a lifetime
with a prior direct mock-up to guide as proposed in the Therapeutic Gradi-
the layering of the composite material ent,18 we proceeded with a direct adhe-
(template technique). Information was sive restoration.
given to the patient concerning prob- Before enamel dehydration takes
able shorter longevity of this type of res- place, information for color analyses
toration, considering its large volume, was noted and preoperative macro
and less predictable esthetic results pictures were taken (Figs 2a to 3c).
due to this direct technique when com- Using the computer’s image tool de-
pared to ceramics. Both patient and vice, we created a mirror image by
mother preferred this second solution. horizontally flipping the image of the
Considering the age of the patient and normal lateral (contralateral) tooth
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a b
Fig 4 (a and b) Direct mock-up made on the peg
tooth (close vision and occlusion testing). (c) Near-
symmetrical morphology to the contra-maxillary lat-
eral was achieved by a freehand mock-up on the
conoid lateral. This morphology was viewed and
approved by the patient (esthetic validation). c
that will serve as a reference and A mock-up was prepared using a
projecting it onto the image of the co- freehand technique by applying com-
noid tooth. After redimensioning both posite directly onto the conoid tooth
images to fit each other, we used without any adhesive procedure. A
the opacity image tool to lower the near-symmetrical morphology to the
opacity of the normal lateral so that contra-maxillary lateral was achieved
this tooth image became translucent. (Figs 4a to 4c). Once approved, this
This method enables the visualization outline was registered using a rigid
of the underlying morphology of the silicone impression that was sec-
peg tooth (Fig 3d) and the previsu- tioned by a scalpel into a matrix or
alization of the position and volume lingual template, which served as a
of composite adjunction that will be guide for the multilayer technique that
needed to achieve the desired final followed (Figs 4d and 4e).
morphology. Later, moving the opac- Following rubber dam isolation, grit
ity image tool to maximum opacity blasting of the enamel surface was
and having this image on the com- undertaken (50
µ aluminum oxide
puter screen next to the chair gives particles). No bur abrasion was em-
the dentist a constant predehydration ployed. A total-etch, 2-step adhesive
view of the color features, as well as a procedure (Optibond Solo Plus, Kerr)
model for macro- and microanatomy followed, and restoration was per-
reproduction. formed according to the principles
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d e
f g
Fig 4 (continued) (d) Silicone template: impression of the mock-up. (e) Silicone template in place
after removing the mock-up. (f) Palatal wall and first dentine composite increments. (g) Composite restor-
ation roughly completed.
of the anatomical composite 3D lay- The scalpel finishing technique
ering technique (Vanini).19 Blue pig- This case was chosen as an example
ment effects were used to create the to describe this technique because, as
translucent and opalescent effects all surfaces of the tooth were implicated,
on the incisal third. The “halo effect” various possibilities and ways of using
was reproduced with dentinal body the scalpel as a sculpting/finishing instru-
composite, and the “cloudlike” white ment could be demonstrated. However,
stains of hypomineralization were cre- in our opinion, there are more indications
ated with intensive masses20 applied where this technique can be used to fin-
on the dentin core, before insertion of ish partial direct composite restorations.
the final enamel composite layer. The
restoration was then ready for finish- 1. Initial anatomic definition and gross
ing and polishing procedures (Figs 4f contour
and 4g). The conoid tooth presents a cervical ar-
ea narrower than a normal lateral incisor.
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Figs 5a and 5b Recontouring of cer-
a b
vical and interproximal embrasures.
a b
Fig 6a and 6b Always ensure a stable fingerhold on the tooth and grip the scalpel as close as pos-
sible to the blade; in this case, the grip is mostly between the middle and index finger and the thumb, like
a pencil grip.
Therefore, to develop a natural contour point of the blade. The extreme lateral
of the emergency profile, additive com- edge of the blade, adjacent to its point,
posite has to be extended slightly into is used to reshape this cervical area by
the embrasures on the proximal mar- cutting any excess composite to create
gins. Transparent matrices applied in the a rounded, anatomical contiguity of the
interproximal region to guide the com- restoration material with the adjacent
posite insertion tend to give an unnatural dental cervical structure. For this result
profile that is too straight. Recontouring to be achieved, the blade should be
using the scalpel blade starts by remov- positioned at an approximate 30-degree
ing overhangs (any excessive restora- angle with the surface of the restoration
tive and adhesive material) present in (Figs 5a and 5b). The scalpel should be
the gingival interproximal embrasures. gripped between the fingers in a pencil
At the same time, the correction of the grip. A firm, sliding/peeling movement
composite interproximal and cervical flat is performed from the composite to the
profile is precisely performed using the tooth structure, moving as one would
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Fig 7 Removing excess composite material from Fig 8 Refining the distoincisal angle profile.
the cervical tooth margins.
when handling a hand-trimming chisel, the blade. There should be no remaining
to achieve the desired anatomic shape. gaps or excess. At this point, the macro-
It is very important to always ensure anatomic contour of the tooth can be re-
and maintain a stable fingerhold on the confirmed or refined. A straighter mesial
tooth while handling the scalpel. One profile and rounder distoincisal outline
should grip the instrument as close as can be slightly redefined by the blade.
possible to the blade (Figs 6a and 6b) to Also, some corrections to the V-shape
ensure stability and to prevent the blade openings of mesio- and distoincisal an-
from accidentally slipping onto the adja- gles (Fig 8) can be precisely performed
cent soft tissue. using a No. 15 scalpel blade without de-
stroying the convex form of the tooth’s
2. Gross reduction and margination outline or endangering the surface of the
Margination starts by applying the same adjacent teeth, or the contact surface in
firm, continuous, sliding/cutting move- the case of interproximal areas.
ment of the blade. Excessive compos-
ite material is removed by peeling. A 3. Surface vertical anatomy
smooth composite–enamel margin tran- Width illusion is key when it comes to
sition is achieved by sliding the blade symmetry in restorations.21 The percep-
so that the lateral cutting part of its tip is tion of the width and length of a tooth
always in contact with the interface be- largely depends on the position, form,
tween restoration and tooth (Fig 7). The and cervical convergence of the two
enamel surface will “guide” the blade. buccal vertical transitional line angles.
As the scalpel will not cut the enamel, Normally, these features have already
any roughness or overhanging compos- been defined and sculpted during the
ite and non-bonded material still present composite build-up stage, taking into
on these margins will be trimmed away. account symmetry with the contralateral
The adaptation of the margin is tooth. Despite this, some corrections to
achieved by smoothly sliding the edge of the convex anatomic aspects often have
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a b c
d e
Figs 9a to 9e Repositioning and refining transition line angles.
to be made during the finishing stages ing vertical cutting/peeling movements
of the restoration. (Figs 9a and 9b). Rounding or accen-
In classical finishing technique, cor- tuation of the profiles of the angles can
rections to the form and position of ridg- be obtained by scratching vertically or
es and lines are usually performed using horizontally with the blade (Figs 9c and
fine grit diamond finishing burs. With the 9d). An unwanted over-homogenization
scalpel finishing technique, we suggest on the profile of the transition line crest
the use of a No. 15 scalpel blade for may be easier to avoid using a blade
this procedure. These line angles can rather than a finishing bur, where, in the
easily be pushed and replaced more latter case, the homogenization occurs
distally or medially with the blade by us- all at once (Fig 9e).
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a b
c d
e f
Figs 10a to 10f Defining facial macroanatomic limits of eminences of rounded mamelons and creating
asymmetric details, as observed in natural enamel topography. The point of the scalpel is very useful for
reproducing the smooth grooves.
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4. O
ther macrogeographic aspects
and the incisal shape
The profile of the incisal edge and the
delicate shape of the rounded emi-
nences of the mamelons are accentu-
ated in symmetry with the collateral tooth
(Figs 10a and 10b). The fissure-shaped
edge (reunion of developmental lobes)
between the mamelons is worked on with
the blade’s fine point, finding its contigu-
ity on the vertical fine grooves (Figs 10c
and 10d). Shallow, smooth depressions
Fig 11 Correcting the palatal concavity with the
can be seen between the lobes on the curved part of the blade. Cingulum anatomy may
buccal face of the tooth. Those features be carved or refined by employing the edge of the
blade.
may be sculpted using the round part of
the blade (Fig 10e). The incisal third pro-
file is slightly rounded by the blade, pro-
ducing a minimal incisal “plane break-
down” on the buccal surface (Fig 10f).
5. Palatal anatomic aspects 6. Palatal sculpture
Palatal anatomic aspects can be cor- To finish palatal sculpture, the incisal,
rected using either rotary football- slope-like angle on the lingual side is
shaped diamond or carbide burs. Ordi- also refined by active sliding move-
nary scalpel blades are not sufficiently ments of the blade, as if peeling the in-
small or rounded enough. It may take cisal edge while forming an approximate
more time, particularly for beginners of 40-degree-angle slope with the long ax-
this technique, to refine concavity sculp- is of the clinical crown. Obviously, this
tured lingual aspects of tooth anatomy. incisal slope angle may vary between
The palatal surface is a region that is dif- teeth, depending on variations in crown
ficult access, with some teeth presenting anatomy and tooth contacts. In this area,
very pronounced concavity. The palatal the anatomic shape has to be custom-
finishing of this lateral was all done us- ized to perfectly fit the incisal guidance,
ing a scalpel (Fig 11) and discs, but a including wear, chipping, etc. Normally,
combined technique with rotary round- due to physiological movements during
shaped abrasive points or burs could al- incisal guidance, the incisal edge pre-
so be necessary. Scalpel blade No. 12B sents some worn surfaces. The tooth
can be useful to access some palatal shown in Fig 10e, as an example, is a
areas, such as interproximal palatal em- young lateral that still presents its round-
brasures and cervical ridges adjacent to ed slope shapes almost intact.
the gingival area.
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Polishing
The restoration was polished using abra-
sive strips, abrasive polishing discs, sili-
con carbide polishing brushes, and felts
with fine and extra-fine polishing pastes
(Figs 13a to 13c). During polishing, soft-
er shapes can easily be obtained with
abrasive strips applied directly onto the
surface using finger friction (Fig 13d).
This procedure results in a more natural
look, as if the tooth has been submit-
ted to some physiological wear, such as
Fig 12 Refining central lobe anatomy.
would result from the use of an abrasive
toothbrush.
Results analysis
7. Tertiary horizontal anatomical features As can be seen in Figs 14a and 14b,
Various other tertiary horizontal anatom- anatomy, characteristics, and surface
ical features may also be reproduced reflections are in harmony with the ad-
employing the scalpel on the facial sur- jacent teeth. The maxillary laterals allow
face. Refining macro- and micro-surface for some asymmetry, and small differ-
topographic aspects interferes with the ences between these teeth play an im-
surface reflective behavior of the light, portant role in a natural appearance.
allowing a more diffused type of reflec- When carefully observed (Figs
14a
tion (Fig 12). and 14b), one can notice a bulging re-
Particularly in younger dentition, the flective surface emerging on the center
microanatomic aspects, as vertical of the buccal face of this restored tooth.
and horizontal striated lines, produce a Actually, this region corresponds to the
more invisible restoration with a natural original natural convex surface of the co-
blended final effect. Customized natural noid tooth, emerging from the center of
strias (grooves) may be created using the restoration, which was left unharmed.
the blade in a drawing action. If finishing burs were used rather than a
Buccal face microanatomy may also scalpel to refine the sculpture on the buc-
be effectively created using a combined cal surface of this tooth, this protruding
scalpel and bur technique, or even just surface of enamel would end up being
finishing with a bur. However, in our flattened by abrasive subtraction during
opinion, the use of a bur for the finish- the finishing process. This goes to show
ing steps should ideally be limited to the how the scalpel technique respects the
composite surfaces far from the restor- natural dental tissues (Figs 15a to 15c).
ation margins.
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a b
c d
Figs 13a to 13d Final polishing procedures.
Fig 14 (a) Close mesial facial view of the restoration im-
mediately the removal of the rubber dam. A bulging surface is
observable on the buccal face of the restored lateral. (b) Front
a view of anterior tooth, 1 week later.
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Conclusions
It is known that finishing procedures can
be minimized and better results can be
achieved by adding the correct volume
of composite material while employing a
careful technique to achieve incremen-
Fig 15a Final photo showing maxillary anterior
tal build-up. However, when it is neces-
teeth with equilibrated proportions.
sary to remove composite material after
final polymerization to achieve the de-
sired anatomy and contours, finishing
burs have the potential to harm sound
surrounding dental tissue. Burs could
also jeopardize composite margins and
the anatomic detail created on the resin
composite surface. To avoid these is-
sues, the scalpel finishing technique
can be used to trim and finish compos-
ite margins. The following advantages
can be potentially obtained using this
technique:
Fig 15b Final dental gingival photo of anterior Immediate surrounding enamel is left
teeth in maximum interception. Good harmony of
unharmed by the abrasive process.
form, color, and reflections can be seen.
By minimizing the use of sequential
diamond finishing burs, particularly on
composite margins, less composite
material is damaged or unnecessarily
removed in this delicate junction area,
consequently improving the resist-
ance and longevity of the restoration.
The technique can simplify the fi-
nal polishing procedures, leaving a
smoother composite surface that is
easier to polish immediately after the
finishing stage.
The simplicity and precision of the
technique, along with the esthetic re-
sults that can potentially be achieved,
make it a reasonable and safe alter-
native to the use of final finishing burs.
Apart from the predictability and time-
Fig 15c Patient’s smile at 1-week recall control saving factors, the technique could
appointment. be considered a minimally invasive
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dentistry approach for the finishing of Acknowledgments
direct composite restorations. We thank all the laboratory technicians at the Mon-
trouge Biomaterial Laboratory of Paris Descartes (Par-
In our opinion, the scalpel finishing tech- is V) University, Faculty of Dental Surgery, who have
contributed to this article by making it possible for the
nique is an accessible way of finishing
authors to obtain the SEM images shown here. We
composites that could be proposed as would also like to thank the clinicians for their kindness
an everyday dental office method that and patience in reading and reviewing this article.
embraces the principles of minimally in-
vasive dentistry, ensuring maximum re- Disclosure statement
spect for dental tissues while optimizing The authors declare that they have no conflicts of
and simplifying finishing procedures. interest concerning this article.
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THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ESTHETIC DENTISTRY
VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 2 • SUMMER 2015