Dentistry Live: Mastering anterior composite edge bonding

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Dr Charlie Steere recently performed upper central composite edge bonding live on a patient who had completed Invisalign and whitening.

This Dentistry Live session covered composite selection for edge bonding, including dentine and enamel shade placement and selecting appropriate opacities for different clinical scenarios. Dr Steere then applied a predictable layering strategy to recreate natural tooth morphology, manage incisal edge transition zones, and control composite thickness to maintain correct value.

You’ll learn how to place composite with precision using the right instruments and controlled incremental placement to achieve seamless margins, followed by refining morphology and surface anatomy (primary, secondary and tertiary anatomy, and line angles to influence light reflection). The session finishes with Dr Steere selecting appropriate finishing systems for anterior composites, underpinned by minimally invasive principles throughout.

Learning outcomes

1.⁠ ⁠Understand composite material selection for edge bonding

• Placing dentine and enamel shades 
• Select appropriate opacities for various clinical scenarios

2. Apply a predictable layering strategy

• Recreate natural tooth morphology using controlled dentine/enamel layering
• Manage incisal edge transition zones
• Control composite thickness to maintain correct value

3. Place composite with precision and control

• Instrument choice to optimise adaptation
• Achieve seamless margins through controlled incremental placement

4. Refine morphology and surface anatomy

• Create primary, secondary and tertiary anatomy
• Shape line angles to influence light reflection and perceived tooth width

5. Deliver a high-level polish protocol

• Select appropriate finishing systems for anterior composites

6. Integrate minimally invasive principles

• Preserve enamel where possible.