A beautiful smile is influenced by healthy, aligned, and aesthetically pleasing front teeth. The growing demand for attractive smiles has fueled the development of various dental restoration techniques that prioritize not only function but also appearance. One increasingly popular technique is the direct veneer, a procedure that combines aesthetics with conservative dental care.
Recognizing the importance of mastering this technique, the Interdisciplinary Dentistry Skill Development Center (iDSDC) FKG UGM held the Workshop 101: Direct Veneer on Friday (18/7/2025). The workshop was attended by 11 participants, including general dentists and specialists in conservative dentistry. The resource person was drg. Pribadi Santosa, M.S., Sp.KG, Subsp. KR(K), a dental conservation expert with extensive experience in esthetic restoration cases.
A veneer is a thin layer of restorative material attached to the front surface of teeth to improve their color, shape, or position. In practice, direct veneer direct veneers are performed directly in the patient’s mouth using composite resin, eliminating the need for laboratory fabrication. The procedure can be completed in a single visit, making it a popular choice for being quick, cost-effective, and minimally invasive, while preserving the natural tooth structure.
The first session began with an introduction to the basic principles of anterior dental aesthetics, highlighting the importance of balance between tooth shape, smile line, and facial structure. “Dental aesthetics cannot be separated from facial proportions and the smile line. Therefore, case planning must consider tooth form, smile line, and surrounding tissue characteristics,” said drg. Pribadi.
After covering the theory, participants learned and practiced minimally invasive preparation techniques, from preserving as much tooth tissue as possible to selecting the right type of composite resin. “Minimal invasive preparation is not just a trend but a fundamental principle in maintaining dental tissue health. The less we remove, the longer-lasting the restoration,” he explained.
Enthusiasm grew as participants practiced direct layering techniques, essential for creating restorations that are both functional and visually harmonious with adjacent teeth.
The final stage was finishing and polishing. This crucial step determines the success of the entire process. Under drg. Pribadi’s one-on-one guidance, participants refined their restorations to achieve smooth, glossy surfaces with accurate anatomy. “This final detail ensures long-term successof the veneer, both aesthetics and patient comfort must always be considered,” he emphasized.
Bekti Nur Aini, S.Kp.G., MPH., Coordinator of iDSDC, stated that the activity is part of iDSDC’s commitment to providing science-based, practical training. “This workshop is an effort to improve dentists’ competence in esthetic dentistry, grounded in both science and application,” she said.
The workshop was made possible through collaboration between iDSDC FKG UGM, Ivoclar, and Tawada Healthcare. The partnership not only supported the technical and material aspects of the workshop but also reflected the importance of synergy among educational institutions, dental technology industries, and healthcare providers in expanding access to high-quality, up-to-date, and practical training.
Author and Photographer: Fajar Budi Harsakti
