Abstract
Fixed prosthodontics is the art and science of restoring defective or damaged teeth and/or replacing missing teeth. The primary objective of a restoration is to recover functional occlusion. Additionally, patients, regardless of their age and sex, have needs related to esthetic restoration. To please patients, the dentist must deliver an esthetic restoration that blends with the patient's natural teeth. These are some of the needs related to “basic research” in fixed prosthodontics.
Either ceramic materials or resin composites are used for indirect esthetic restoration. In general, toothcolored materials require incremental thicknesses to ensure adequate color and sufficient mechanical properties. However, the thick form of a prosthesis contradicts the concept of “minimal intervention”. Patients though require restorations that meet their esthetic needs without any significant loss of tooth structure.
The strategy for the “new (advanced) research” in fixed prosthodontics should be based on the two concepts of esthetics and minimal intervention. Although these two factors appear inconsistent, patients unquestionably require both to be provided with high quality care that will include both solutions in the context of a well-organized and sequenced comprehensive treatment plan. Consequently, in response to the growing popularity of esthetic dentistry, we dentists should develop a new dentistry field, one that introduces relevant new technologies along with newly developed materials.
