# Digital smile design-driven minimally invasive lithium disilicate laminate veneers in the aesthetic zone: a 6-year follow-up case report

**Authors:** Anh Tuan Dang, Anh Phuong Thi Nguyen, Ly Thuy Thi Le, Hai Thanh Pham, Rim Bourgi

PMC · DOI: 10.3389/fdmed.2026.1746318 · Frontiers in Dental Medicine · 2026-02-17

## TL;DR

This case report shows how digital smile design and lithium disilicate veneers can achieve long-term aesthetic dental results with minimal tooth removal.

## Contribution

Demonstrates a 6-year successful outcome using a minimally invasive DSD-guided veneer approach for aesthetic dentistry.

## Key findings

- DSD-guided lithium disilicate veneers achieved long-term aesthetic success in 10 anterior teeth.
- Modified USPHS criteria confirmed well-maintained outcomes after 6 years.
- Minimally invasive techniques preserved tooth structure while meeting high aesthetic demands.

## Abstract

The foundational principle of minimally invasive dentistry is the preservation of sound tooth structure. Its efficacy is directly dependent upon strict adherence to an optimized clinical protocol and mastery of dedicated instrumentation. This case report illustrates a conservative Digital Smile Design (DSD) - guided approach to ceramic laminate veneer rehabilitation of the maxillary anterior dentition, significantly enhancing the patient's smile. A 29-year-old female presented with the chief complaint of an unattractive smile due to an imbalanced smile line, tooth form, tooth angle and color in the aesthetic zone. DSD concepts were carried out using the Photoshop software, followed by diagnostic wax-up and mock-up to reconstruct aesthetically harmonious tooth form and color. The patient approved the minimally invasive treatment with a gingivectomy using a scalpel and veneers for 10 anterior teeth instead of the orthodontic treatment. A temporary prosthesis based on a silicone index was used to aid the conservative tooth preparations and lithium disilicate (LDS) veneers were bonded under total isolation conditions with a rubber dam. The adhesive protocol employed a total-etch technique, followed by the application of a bonding agent, intermediate dentin sealing (IDS) and a light-cured adhesive resin to optimize bonding efficiency. Following proper planning and sequencing, the outcomes successfully achieved fulfilled the patient's aesthetic demands and were reevaluated as well-maintained using the Modified United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria at 6-years follow-up. The application of DSD followed by LDS veneer restorations allows a minimally invasive approach with an excellent long-term outcome for the disharmonious anterior teeth, especially in high-aesthetic-demand patients.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** lithium disilicate (PubChem CID 101943115)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** APE (MESH:D014202), malocclusion (MESH:D008310), caries (MESH:D003731), hypersensitivity (MESH:D004342), overbite (MESH:D057887), AD (MESH:D000544), fracture (MESH:D050723), DSD (MESH:C000721267), PPD (MESH:D010518), Angle Class II division 2 malocclusion (MESH:D008312), secondary (MESH:D000068376), tooth rotation (MESH:D009759), BOP (MESH:D006470)
- **Chemicals:** hydrofluoric acid (MESH:D006858), phosphoric acid (MESH:C030242), glycerin (MESH:D005990), Etch (-), acid phosphoric (MESH:D010756), oxygen (MESH:D010100), PVS (MESH:D010404), silicone (MESH:D012828), diamond (MESH:D018130)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606], Canis lupus familiaris (dog, subspecies) [taxon 9615]

## Full text

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## Figures

12 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12953494/full.md

## References

47 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12953494/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12953494