Beginning with a lecture covering the relevant physical properties required of composites to be used for restoring anterior teeth, this one-day course explores the concepts of colour as they relate to tooth shade selection. As there are presently so many options on the market, the importance of opacity/translucency as distinct from colour alone will be explained to assist participants in selecting composite systems for use in their practices.

Finally, the multi-layered approach to restoring anterior teeth using varying opacity of composites will be demonstrated together with simplified techniques for build-up, finishing and polishing.

The practical exercises in this course will allow participants to restore typodont teeth utilising a multi-shaded, aesthetic composite system and the layering techniques presented in the lecture.

After the course, attendees should have a greater understanding of the newer composite technologies available to achieve excellent aesthetic and functional results when restoring anterior teeth.

Topics include

• Current composite resin technologies and systems designed for aesthetic, single and multi-layered build-up techniques
• Shade selection - understanding colour and teeth
• A simplified approach to multi-layered anterior composite restorations
• Finishing and polishing techniques for microfill, microhybrid, and nanocomposites
• Can composite resins restore adequate function and aesthetics?
• Indications for choosing between composite and ceramics
• Are composite restorations cost-effective for the patient and the dentist?
• Clinical examples to illustrate techniques for easier practice