"This Case Spotlight is perhaps somewhat unique as I am writing about my own case history and restorative solution.

My bite ended up overclosed as a result of orthodontics as a teenager. This lead to a number of long-term problems. Over the years, my natural anterior teeth were starting to chip and wear due to my neuromuscular problems. In 1996, the aesthetic difficulties this caused were temporarily resolved with the placement of veneers at a hands-on course. However, over the next six years, a diastema opened between teeth 8 and 9 and one veneer chipped as can be seen in the Before photo presented. I had also developed neck and shoulder pain, which became quite severe at times.

After attending the Occlusion I and II courses at the Las Vegas Institute, I realized that the pain and instability of the veneers were due to my occlusion problems. I did a neuromuscular work-up on myself and had an orthotic created which opened my vertical 8 mm (Shimbashi in Before photo was 11 mm, After Shimbashi now 19 mm). Comfort and function were established in the orthotic. The preparation and placement of final Aurum Ceramic restorations were accomplished at a recent LVI Full Mouth course by Dr. Mary Walsh-Cole of San Diego, CA. Interestingly enough, I prepped a case one day and then was prepped myself the next, so I was able to see the entire process from both a professional and patient's perspective."

- Dr. Thomas Hedge