Technique Video

Replicating Dental Craze Lines with Composite Resin

Adding a craze line can make a big difference in realism when crafting natural-looking restorations, especially for mature patients. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Draw the Craze Line

After placing the dentin layer, use a No. 12 blade scalpel to create a fine line along the tooth’s length before curing the composite. This will serve as the foundation of your craze line.

Step 2: Widen the Craze Line

Using the tip of a Cosmedent® No. 3 Brush, gently press along the craze line to open it up slightly, creating a subtle depth. Once satisfied with the width, light-cure the dentin layer.

Step 3: Add Tint for Depth

Select a Creative Color® tint and apply it along the craze line with a Cosmedent® No. 1 Brush. Tint choice affects the line’s darkness; for example, a mix of light and dark brown can give a realistic aged effect.

Step 4: Spread the Tint

Using the brush, gently spread the tint along the length of the craze line. Make sure the tint reaches into every groove of the line to enhance its visibility.

Step 5: Remove Excess Tint

A micro brush can help you carefully dab and remove any excess tint, ensuring the line looks natural without being overly dark or prominent.

Step 6: Cure the Tint

Light-cure the tinted craze line to set it in place.

Step 7: Add More Tint if Needed

If you want a more pronounced effect, apply another thin layer of tint to the center of the craze line. Adjust the tint color and amount to achieve the look you want. Dab away excess with a micro brush and light-cure again.

Step 8: Apply Renamel Microfill

Apply Flowable Renamel Microfill to the lingual surface, then light-cure. Add the Microfill body composite to shape the final form and light-cure again.

Step 9: Finishing and Polishing

Once the composite is fully cured, use finishing and polishing protocols. Use a FlexiBuff® with a small dab of Enamelize™ Polishing Paste for a high-gloss finish, bringing out a natural, polished look.

By following these steps, you can create a craze line that enhances the depth and realism of your composite restorations.

Rhodri Thomas, BDS
About the AuthorDr. Rhodri Thomas

Rhodri Thomas, BDS, graduated with Honors from Cardiff University. His background as an artist spurred his love of aesthetic dentistry, and he now dedicates his work towards truly blending dentistry into nature with his clinical focus on advanced aesthetic restorative dentistry.

An internationally renowned educator and multi-award-winning dentist, Rhodri lectures and teaches around the world on the subject of aesthetics, presenting at conferences, running private courses, and publishing articles in leading dental magazines. Recently Rhodri has been teaching in Chicago, New York, Florida, London, Montreal, and Sweden.

He was the winner of the British Society of Prosthodontics Heraeus Kulzer Prize for his research on tooth wear, pioneered a new resin layering technique, and is also the author of a book based purely on resin artistry. Rhodri has been the youngest speaker for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, a published author for the prestigious Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry, and has received a record-breaking six consecutive national awards.

Passionate about teaching and sharing with other dental professionals, Rhodri is honored to be Resident Faculty at both The Center for Esthetic Excellence in Chicago and Stribe Dental in New York. He is also the founder and director of The Art of Dentistry, a series of unique international training programs and aesthetic-based courses for dentists. He believes every clinician has a natural creative ability inside of them and enjoys nothing more than helping to ignite it.