Direct or indirect techniques?. Focus on direct procedures and related esthetic resin biomaterials.

In the esthetic zone, while there may be a structural, mechanical, or health problem to manage, the patient's esthetic concerns will also significantly influence the treatment possibilities. A consequence of this is the need to use tooth-colored restorative materials. Treatment choices are frequently limited to direct or indirect techniques using either ceramics or composite resin-based materials. The inclusion of orthodontics and perio-plastic procedures may also influence the selection of the treatment approach. In the 'gray zone,' a patient will have a number of possible treatment options, and the treating clinician may have difficulty deciding on the most appropriate treatment plan. While there is often no right or wrong treatment plan, this author hopes to present more clarity around developing the best one for a particular patient. The indications for direct and indirect techniques often coincide. However, they have entered the same space from opposite positions, which has created certain 'legacy issues' and treatment-planning confusion. As far as the gray zone in esthetic restorative dentistry is concerned, the area of greatest overlap is of most interest. The primary emphasis of this article is the appropriate application of direct materials.