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Can a single-shade resin composite mask darkened teeth in a veneer restoration? A clinical case report

British Dental Journal volume 239, pages 31–33 (2025)Cite this article

Abstract

The use of single-shade dental composites is a promising alternative to multi-shade resin-based composite (RBC). These materials are distinguished by an absence of pigments in their composition, enhancing colour stability, simplifying shade matching and reducing costs. These new strategies are increasingly used to achieve a technical simplification. This study reports a case of a direct composite veneer restoration for a discoloured anterior tooth using a combination of a resin blocker and a single-shade RBC. A 53-year-old male patient presented at the clinic, reporting a problem with a discoloured maxillary left central incisor. The restoration procedure was performed under rubber dam isolation. After veneer cavity preparation, selective acid etching on the enamel and the application of a universal adhesive system, a 1 mm layer of blocker resin was applied. This was followed by an application of the single-shade RBC. Visual and photographic assessments of the clinical outcome demonstrated satisfactory results, with the restoration colour harmoniously matching the tooth's natural colour. Patient satisfaction was evaluated through a questionnaire, with a positive outcome reported. Despite being a monochromatic composite resin, the combined use of single-shade and blocker resins presents a viable alternative for aesthetically restoring discoloured teeth and seems to simplify the restorative technique for producing an aesthetic result.

Key points

  • In this article, we approach a case solution of a darkened tooth with the use of single-shade resin-based composite and a blocking resin.

  • This alternative seems to simplify the restorative technique for reproducing dental colour, regarding cost, time and clinical procedures.

  • To our knowledge, there have been no reports on the combined use of blocker and single-shade in a severe case of an anterior single tooth darkened due to trauma.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Adjunct Professor, Integrated Clinical Procedures, Faculty of Dentistry, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Amanda Barreto Ramos, Carolina Guedes Barquete & Marcelo José Braga Pinhão

Authors
  1. Amanda Barreto Ramos
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  2. Carolina Guedes Barquete
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  3. Marcelo José Braga Pinhão
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Contributions

All authors contributed significantly to the research and manuscript preparation. ABR: conceptualised the study, conducted the clinical case, wrote the manuscript and supervised the research. CGB: wrote the manuscript, made revisions and final approval. MJBP: conducted the clinical case and provided critical revisions. All authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Amanda Barreto Ramos.

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The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Complete written informed consent was obtained from the patient for the publication of this study and accompanying images.

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Ramos, A., Barquete, C. & Pinhão, M. Can a single-shade resin composite mask darkened teeth in a veneer restoration? A clinical case report. Br Dent J 239, 31–33 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-025-8661-z

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