Dr. Milos Ljubicic
• Resident at Clinic for Prosthodontics, University of Belgrade
• Specialised in aesthetic & digital dentistry and CAD/CAM systems
• Creator of the international course of standards and protocols in dental photography “The Bigger Picture”
• Nominated for the most promising young member of the European Society of Cosmetic Dentistry, ESCD St. Petersburg 2019
• Lecturer of the American Society of Cosmetic Dentistry, European Society of Cosmetic Dentistry
• 2019 Winner of the MPF Dental Photo Competition at IDS (Cologne) & of the ESCD dental photography contest (St. Petersburg)
• Published works in The International Journal of Esthetic Dentistry- IJED by Quintessence, Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry- JERD, Dental Technician Guild and others
• Key opinion leader for Medit, GC and Sprintray.
PATIENT COMPLAINT
patient complaint
Aesthetic concerns with persistent primary tooth in upper dental arch.
introduction
introduction
The patient presented to the dental office with a primary upper left persistent primary molar that was causing them aesthetic concerns (congenitally missing permanent tooth; Fig. 1A-D). Despite the possible need for future extraction and implant placement, the patient was not ready to undergo such a procedure. A collaborative decision was made to address the aesthetic issue using a tabletop 3D-printed veneer. This innovative approach involved using hybrid resin (SprintRay Crown), allowing for a non-invasive yet durable restoration. The primary treatment goal was to provide an aesthetically pleasing solution with the flexibility for future implant placement.




the case
the case
Material Selection:
After discussion with the patient, it was decided to use SprintRay Crown, a hybrid resin, for the tabletop 3D-printed veneer due to its strength and aesthetic properties.
Digital Design:
A detailed digital design of the restoration was created using Clinical CAD software (Medit Co.; Fig. 2). The design aimed to enhance the aesthetics of the affected primary tooth without preparation, preserving its integrity. The occlusal surface was designed based on the morphology of a premolar.

Printing Process:
The digital design was transferred to Rayware software (Fig. 3) connected to a SprintRay Pro 95s 3D printer. The Crown Kit from SprintRay was used to ensure fast and precise printing of the restoration (Fig. 4). This process created a customised veneer tailored to the patient’s anatomy.


Finishing Touches:
After printing, the restoration underwent meticulous cleaning and polishing to achieve the desired final appearance. The attention to detail during this phase contributed to the overall aesthetic success of the 3D-printed veneer (Fig. 5A-C).



Cementation:
The restoration was cemented using an adhesion protocol to ensure a secure and stable placement. This step was critical for the long-term success of the veneer and provided the patient with an immediate improvement in the appearance of their primary tooth (Fig. 6A-D, 7).




“The advantage of using SprintRay Crown allows for easy repairs directly on the veneer as needed.”
Regular follow-up appointments were scheduled to monitor the stability and functionality of the 3D-printed veneer. The patient was informed that this restoration would be a temporary solution until they were ready for extraction and implant placement. The advantage of using SprintRay Crown is that it permits easy repairs directly on the veneer as needed.
conclusion
conclusion
Using 3D printing technology in dentistry to create tabletop veneers provides an effective and minimally invasive solution for addressing the aesthetic concerns of a persistent primary tooth. The use of hybrid resin and meticulous planning resulted in a restoration that met the patient’s immediate aesthetic needs and allowed for flexibility in future treatment options.
This case highlights the interplay between digital design, 3D printing technology, and traditional dental techniques to achieve optimal aesthetic and functional outcomes.

NOTES
CARESTREAM DENTAL IMAGING
Dr. Roberto Aza chooses Carestream Dental imaging for its high quality and reliability at his dental office.