Conservative composite restorations have become the benchmark for minimally invasive dentistry. The push for little to no prep restorations in the aesthetic zone has created a demand for composite "bonding" and chairside composite veneers.
With that demand, dentists must have a reliable protocol for polishing composite resin restorations. The Super-Snap system can achieve an enamel-like, high-shine finish to resins in the aesthetic zone.
The Super-Snap finishing and polishing disc system includes four discs of different grits, available in standard and mini sizes. The grits include coarse (black), medium (violet), green (fine) and red (superfine). The discs are designed to provide a completely flat polishing surface, because they do not need to be attached to a metal ring in the center.
The lack of a metal ring in the center also allows for a greater surface area to facilitate faster and more efficient polishing. The fine and superfine grits are flexible in the standard diameter and create a glossy, high-shine finish. They are packaged as singles with a plastic disposable mandrel in a sealed foil pack and also in a kit that includes discs, strips, white stones, and metal mandrels. Both options are offered at a cost that is 30% less than similar products offered by competitors [Figure1].
In clinical practice, the discs can be used in multiple ways to create the most aesthetic finish and polish. Although the system was designed to be used in succession, the discs of different grits can be used individually when needed. For example, when placed flat against the surface of a restoration, the initial outline form of a chairside composite can be developed with the standard-size coarse disc [Figure 2].
Once the outline form is developed and marked with a pencil, the coarse and medium discs can be used to move and create line angles. Properly placed line angles allow the clinician to match adjacent teeth and modify the appearance of the tooth to appear narrower or wider if needed [Figure 3].
[Figure 1] A highly polished composite veneer.
[Figure 2] The Shofu standard coarse Super-Snap.
[Figure 3] Developing line angles.
The coarse mini-size disc can also be used to level or shorten incisal edges and to develop or open embrasures. The standard diameter discs in the fine and superfine grits are flexible or “flex-able” and can be used after Shofu OneGloss PS midi-points and before polishing paste to impart a high shine and luster to the restoration.
Flexing the disc with a downward motion is key to removing scratches and developing a high shine. The discs can be easily interchanged and are color coded, whereas other systems that have a metal center require force to pull the disc off the mandrel. Super-Snap black (coarse) discs are single-sided. Super-Snap violet (medium) has single-sided safe side down, double-sided, and single-sided safe side up, and both green (fine) and red (super-fine) are double-sided. This important safety feature allows the clinician to effectively angle the disc to polish close to the gingiva and adjacent teeth without nicking or abrading hard and soft tissue.
The Super-Snap system is also very useful in developing and modifying the anatomy of crown and implant provisionals. Acrylic implant provisionals made over a temporary titanium abutment can be easily modified and shaped with the discs.
Another useful tip for using the coarse mini disc is for patients who require or request enamelplasty to reshape their anterior teeth. The flat disc can be used to safely and conservatively reshape enamel to yield a highly aesthetic result.
Pre-Op
This patient was recommended by another dentist to have six ceramic veneers for teeth #6-11. Conservative treatment options were discussed after evaluating her smile. The patient opted to have enamelplasty and ceramic veneers for #7 and #10 to balance her smile with minimal preparation.
[Figure 4] The pre-op smile.
[Figure 5] Pre-op retracted.
Post-Op
Enamelplasty was completed on #8 and #9 incisal edges using the coarse mini disc prior to minimal preparation of laterals #7 and #10. The procedure was done without anesthesia, and the patient did not need provisionals. Smile design parameters were improved by changing the proportions of #7-10. The patient was very pleased with the conservative nature of the treatment.
[Figure 6] Post-op smile.
[Figure 7] Post-op retracted.
The Shofu Super-Snap finishing and polishing system was recently evaluated by the Catapult product evaluators group. Catapult evaluators focused on the system’s ease of use, performance, and overall impact on dental procedures.
Evaluators felt the system was user-friendly and helped create a high-gloss finish swiftly and consistently. One of the evaluators commented, “Ease of use and the quality of the product is incredible.” Another stated that the Super-Snap disc system “provided a really nice finish to composite restorations.”
