A new approach to minimally invasive preparation of a crack line on the labial surface of an anterior tooth: A case report

Abstract

We herein report a new approach for the minimally invasive preparation of a crack line on the labial surface of an anterior tooth using a No. 12d scalpel blade. First, cervical caries on the labial surface were removed using a diamond bur with a high-speed rotary cutting instrument. Next, the stained crack line observed after caries removal was removed with a No. 12d scalpel blade. Minimally invasive preparation of the crack line was then performed with a No. 12d scalpel blade. After caries removal and preparation of the crack line, an adhesive procedure was performed under cotton roll isolation according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and the cavity was filled with a flowable resin composite, followed by polishing. An approach using a No. 12d scalpel blade to prepare the crack line on the labial surface of an anterior tooth has not yet been reported. For minimally invasive intervention, we suggest that a scalpel blade is a tooth-friendly instrument for the removal of stains in crack lines and cavity preparation for flowable resin composite restoration.