Tooth splinting with fiber-reinforced composite materials: achieving predictable aesthetics.

The need to respond to the ever-increasing patient demand for aesthetics, tissue maintenance, and cost efficiency has resulted in the evolution of techniques and materials that allow predictable restoration of teeth that would otherwise be compromised. The development of synthetic dental materials has allowed the incorporation of fiber-reinforced materials to replace metal splints. These contemporary materials provide increased flexural strength, as well as improved aesthetics, to the restoration. This article describes a conservative tooth splinting procedure using polyethylene fibers as reinforcement for both direct and indirect restorations.