Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains

Wakiaga JM, Brunton P, Silikas N, Glenny A-M

Published Online:

October 8, 2008

No strong evidence about the effects of different veneer restorations for stained and discoloured teeth.
An option for improving the appearance of stained or discoloured teeth is veneer restoration. If the teeth are sound, a thin layer of veneer can be used to coat the tooth, masking the underlying discolouration. Veneers may be either porcelain (two-visit procedure, requiring removal of a minimal amount of tooth surface) or composite materials (one or two-visit procedures).The review found there is not enough evidence from trials studying the effects of veneer restoration for discoloured teeth.

Abstract (click to read)

Background:

Patients with discoloured teeth frequently present to the dentist requesting restorations designed to improve their appearance. For teeth that are sound, this might include the use of a veneer restoration. The veneer acts as a thin layer of a material covering the labial surface of a tooth and can be applied directly to the tooth, or by using indirect methods.

Objectives:

To examine the effectiveness of direct versus indirect laminate veneer restorations.

Search strategy:

The following electronic databases were searched: the Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register (November 2003), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2003, Issue 4), MEDLINE (1980 to November 2003) and EMBASE (1980 to November 2003). There was no restriction on language.

Selection criteria:

All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of participants with permanent anterior teeth suitable for restorations using laminate veneers, comparing direct (different composite materials) and indirect techniques for making dental veneers. The indirect restorations may be either composite or porcelain. The primary outcome was restoration failure.

Data collection and analysis:

Assessment of relevance and validity and data extraction were conducted in triplicate. Authors of the primary studies were contacted to provide additional information as necessary.

Main results:

Six full publications were screened as being potentially relevant to the review, only one trial was found to meet the review's inclusion criteria. Although the trial met the review's inclusion criteria with regard to participant characteristics, interventions and outcomes assessed, problems with the reporting of the data prevented any statistical analysis of the results.

Authors' conclusions:

There is no reliable evidence to show a benefit of one type of veneer restoration (direct or indirect) over the other with regard to the longevity of the restoration.

This record should be cited as:

Wakiaga JM, Brunton P, Silikas N, Glenny A-M. Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD004347. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004347.pub2

Assessed as up to date:

November 25, 2003

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Primary Review Group:

Oral Health Group

Health topics:

Dentistry & oral health > Dental caries > Treatment

Cochrane Summaries^beta

Independent high-quality evidence for health care decision making

Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains

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