CATEGORY 90 AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST CLINICAL Case Study 1: Dentistry by Dr Tony Rotondo (Rotondo Clinic, Brisbane QLD Australia) Pre-op and case planning: later published as a book chapter in Quintessence’s Prep Veneers and Non-Prep Veneers, alongside contributions from internationally recognised clinicians and dental educators – an opportunity that remains a particular honour. As with any restorative technique, refractory veneers offer distinct advantages and limitations that must be considered during treatment planning: Advantages: u Exceptional aesthetic potential and precise colour control u Flexible restoration thickness (0.4–2.0 mm) u Suitable for partial restorations u No separate ceramic substructure required Limitations: u Limited flexural strength (up to approximately 120 MPa) u Time-intensive model fabrication u Difficult to verify colour against adjacent natural dentition, as techniques such as eLAB or Matisse are not directly applicable u Requires advanced technical skill, meticulous attention to detail and careful management of each fabrication stage The final outcome (Figs. 15–18) was both satisfactory and aesthetically pleasing. More importantly, this case shaped my development as a ceramist and reinforced the principle that, although modern ceramics and CAD/CAM dominate contemporary workflows, traditional handcrafted artistry continues to play a vital role when aesthetics, conservation and precision are paramount. Case Study 2: Dentistry by Dr Andrew Chio (Arawatta Dental Care, Carnegie VIC Australia) Pre-op and case planning: Figure 11: Preoperative smile. Figure 19: Preoperative smile. Figure 13: Smile following bleaching and gingival recontouring. Figure 21: Retracted frontal view with a black contraster. Figure 12: Preoperative retracted frontal view. Figure 20: Preoperative retracted frontal view. Figure 14: Retracted frontal view with a black contraster. Figure 22: Conservative veneer preparation of a lateral incisor. This first case illustrates what initially drew me towards mastering the refractory veneer technique (Figures 11 and 12). The treating clinician specifically requested refractory feldspathic veneers for the lateral incisors, requiring me to commit fully to a technique with which I had relatively limited experience at the time. The case subsequently became an important foundation for my understanding and appreciation of the craft. The patient presented with microdontic lateral incisors, for which minimal preparation and maximum preservation of natural tooth structure were desirable. Their reduced dimensions allowed the intended contours to be developed predominantly through an additive approach while retaining the surrounding enamel as a predictable bonding substrate. Bleaching and gingival recontouring were completed before veneer placement to establish more favourable biological and optical conditions (Figures 13 and 14). This combination of conservative preparation, favourable substrates and surrounding natural dentition made the case particularly well suited to refractory veneers. Post-op and outcome: Figure 15: Postoperative smile. Figure 17: Postoperative retracted lateral view (right). Figure 16: Postoperative retracted frontal view. Figure 18: Postoperative retracted lateral view (left). Completed more than 15 years ago, this case represents one of my earliest experiences with refractory veneers. In retrospect, the commitment required by this case significantly influenced the direction of my subsequent work with the technique. The case was Case Study 2 presents a challenging aesthetic case involving the four maxillary incisors (12–22) (Figs. 19–21). In my view, refractory feldspathic veneers were the most suitable option, as the primary objective was to improve the aesthetics while preserving as much natural tooth structure as possible. To achieve this, preparation was kept to an absolute minimum: the lateral incisors received only conservative reduction (Fig. 22), while the central incisors remained entirely unprepared. This predominantly additive approach maximised enamel preservation and provided an optimal substrate for predictable bonding. The refractory technique also allowed precise control of ceramic thickness and colour within the limited restorative space – both critical to achieving a natural aesthetic outcome.
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