Direct Composite Resin Overlays
A composite resin overlay is a dental filling material made from composite resin that is used to overlay the tooth. The resin material is applied to the tooth and molded using dental instruments then bonded and cured with a blue light from the visible light spectrum.
In most instances the tooth has to be prepared with a dental drill to a depth of about 4/10 to 6/10ths of a millimeter to allow for the thickness of the resin overlay.
Failure to do this will result in bulky unaesthetic teeth. However, some front teeth that are recessed inwards towards the mouth will require no tooth preparation and the tooth can be overlayed successfully and aesthetically.
We uses the term Resin Overlay instead of Cap, Resin Crown, Direct Resin Veneer or Ceramic Crown. Hence, the term Resin Overlay does not get confused with other dental procedures or terms. Incidentally, the word ‘cap’ does not apply to dentistry, but rather, mechanical items such as cars.
Resin Overlays can be used on front teeth and back teeth to improve the shape of the existing tooth. However, they are not as strong as a Zirconia/Porcleain Crown or a natural tooth and hence can chip or break more easily than a tooth. Although not as strong as a natural tooth or a Zirconia/Porcelain Crown, if they break they can be easily repaired.
The advantage of Resin Overlays is that they are quick to do, are less expensive than Porcelain Veneers and Crowns, are easily repaired if they fracture and can look very aesthetic.
Resin Overlays can be used to replace missing teeth and this is called a Composite Resin Bonded Bridge (See Below)
Bonded Resin Bridges should only be considered as a Temporary or Interim Bridge until a Zirconia Bridge or an Implant Crown can be made.
Showcase of recent patient Composite Resin Overlay cases – Before & After
Before – 14 Year old with congenital missing lateral Incisors, discoloured poorly shaped canines and central incisors with insufficient bone present for implants.
Before – Gum surgery was required to achieve a long term aesthetic result.
After – Finished Composite Resin Bonded Bridges using resin overlaying. Note teeth are longer following gum surgery and the spaces have been filled.
Smile of finished Composite Resin Overlays and ‘bonded bridges’
Before – Lower front teeth badly discoloured and uneven.
After – Lower front teeth finished with Composite Resin Overlays and dark colour masked-out.
After – Lower front teeth finished with Composite Resin Overlays and Crowns on upper front teeth.
After – Final Smile
Before – Discoloured upper left central incisor
After – Composite Resin Overlays on the two front teeth masking the discolouration