Functional and Esthetic Rehabilitation of Severely Eroded Dentition Using Direct Resin Composite Restorations: A Case Report

<p> Purpose: In severe cases of erosive tooth wear. the tooth form and color are altered, leading to the need for functional and esthetic enhancement. Conventionally, indirect crown or onlay restorations requiring tooth preparation have been applied as suitable restorative methods for such cases. However, the development of adhesive systems and resin composite has expanded the treatment modalities and enabled the concept of minimal intervention dentistry. This case report describes a minimally invasive full-mouth reconstruction of eroded teeth using direct resin composite restorations.</p><p> Case: The patient was a 48-year-old male experiencing decreased vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) and non-esthetic appearance in the anterior region. After diagnostic waxing, it was decided to increase the VDO by 1 mm in both the maxillary and mandibular dentition (2 mm in total), creating an appropriate space for direct resin composite build-ups. To enhance the esthetic appearance, anterior teeth were also labially veneered. Subsequently, a protective night guard was delivered. As part of a periodical maintenance program, slight occlusal adjustments were performed if necessary and the restorations were repolished to maintain high gloss. After 1 year and 11 months, the restoration of the mandibular right second molar partially fractured, but it was directly repaired according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The outcome at the 3-year follow-up was excellent both functionally and esthetically. No apparent wear of the placed restorations was observed, suggesting that this minimally invasive approach could be a valid treatment option for severely eroded teeth. The advantage of the presented restorative procedure is that it does not require large-scale tooth preparation, preserving the sound dental tissues. Further clinical research is necessary to verify the long-term effectiveness of full-mouth reconstructions with direct resin composite restorations.</p><p> Conclusion: Decreased VDO due to severe erosive tooth wear was successfully restored using direct resin composite build-ups and veneers. The reconstruction enhanced the esthetics and function, and the outcome remained excellent after 3 years.</p>