Objective : This study investigated the effects of different surface grinding conditions on the color and spectral reflectance of universal shade composite resins (USCs).

  Materials and Methods : Two USCs, Omnichroma (OC) and Beautifil Unishade (BU), were used. Resin pastes were filled into Teflon molds with thicknesses of either 1.5 mm or 3.0 mm, cured by light irradiation, and then the irradiated surface was ground using #800 or #2,000 silicon carbide (SiC) paper. Color and spectral reflectance were measured on standard black and white backgrounds using a high-speed spectrophotometer.

  Results : For both USCs, L^＊ values tended to be higher when ground with #800 SiC paper compared to #2,000. However, a^＊ and b^＊ values remained unaffected by the grinding conditions. Spectral reflectance also increased under #800 grinding, with BU showing a particularly notable rise.

  Conclusion : The surface condition of USC significantly affects its color and spectral reflectance properties.

  Purpose : To clarify generational differences in impressions of middle-aged female model faces with various tooth and skin color combinations.

  Methods : Sixteen facial images were created by combining four tooth shades (0M1, A1, A3, and A4) with four skin tones (pale, fair, standard, and bronze). Thirty younger women and thirty middle-aged women evaluated the images. Middle age was defined as an age range of 40 to 59 years.

  Results : In both generations, the most harmonious tooth shades were 0M1 for pale skin and A1 for fair, standard, and bronze skin. Younger women rated models with darker tooth shades as less attractive than middle-aged women. In both groups, darker tooth shades were associated with an older appearance. Tooth shades that met the two identified factors : “inner beauty/outer beauty” and “cheerfulness as an attractive quality”, were 0M1 for pale skin, 0M1 and A1 for fair skin, and 0M1, A1, and A3 for standard and bronze skin.

  Conclusion : Tooth shades that harmonized with skin tones shared similar hues and tones and were consistently brighter than skin color. Younger women generally evaluated models with darker teeth less favorably than middle-aged women.

  Case : The patient is a 55-year-old woman who visited the clinic with a chief complaint regarding the appearance of her upper front teeth. Poor fitness and shade mismatch were observed with a prosthesis in the anterior maxillary region. There was esthetic dissatisfaction with the materials of the prosthesis in the posterior maxillary region.

  Treatment and Course : After performing initial periodontal therapy and root canal treatment, a provisional restoration was fabricated and placed on the teeth based on the morphology obtained with a diagnostic wax-up on the anterior teeth and premolars. For the molars, a composite resin restoration, ceramic inlay, and monolithic zirconia crown were placed. For the anterior teeth and premolars, a monolithic zirconia crown and bridge were fabricated and placed by double-scanning the provisional restoration model. Currently, follow-up examinations are conducted every three months. Three years have passed since the last prosthesis treatment, and the patient’s condition remains stable.

  Conclusion : For this patient, we attempted to achieve the desired morphology through diagnostic wax-up and provisional restoration and reflected it on the final prosthesis. The patient was highly satisfied with the esthetic outcome.

  Case : The patient (53-year-old woman) visited our clinic with an esthetic problem in the maxillary anterior teeth. Minimally invasive restorative and prosthetic treatments were performed to treat her discolored teeth and moderate crowding, and esthetics and functionality were improved.

  Treatment and Course : A diagnostic wax-up confirmed that esthetics could be improved with prosthetic treatment. After endodontic treatment and abutment foundation of the maxillary central incisors, resin provisional crowns were placed on all four maxillary incisors. Vital tooth whitening, direct bonding, and placement of all-ceramic crowns were performed, and the patient’s main complaint was resolved, and she was highly satisfied. Even approximately 5 years after the end of treatment, good esthetics were maintained.

  Conclusion : This case is an example that shows that a combination of conservative and prosthetic dental treatments may be useful for treating discolored teeth and moderate crowding in the maxillary anterior teeth if the examination and diagnosis are appropriate.