clinical technique _ direct splinting I directly translates into better periodontal health. Furthermore, an immobile tooth will heal much faster and better than a mobile one. Any regenerative therapy carried out around afflicted mobile teeth will have better results than would have been the case had the teeth been immobilised (Figs. 1–4). Another critical manifestation of periodontal disease, when coupled with imbalanced occlusal loads, is the sequel of migration that results from such a clinical situation. Migration, an extremely slowly developing phenomenon, leads to drastic consequences that can usually be optimally corrected only by using orthodontic appliances. But even this correction requires a permanent splinting procedure to ensure that the concerned teeth remain in place and do not migrate away once again. This same technique can be used routinely by orthodontists to place permanent non-invasive quartz splints. Another possible use of quartz glass fibre splints is in cases of alveolar fractures. The advent of bonding dentistry and the easyto-use quartz splint fibre make it a very strong contender for the stabilisation and immobilisation of anterior alveolar fractures. A key factor towards achieving the end point of a good and long-lasting splint is the base material used in conjunction with the composite restorative material for building and applying the splint. It is very important that the splint functions like a monobloc and bonds optimally to the enamel and dentine. In order to provide this monobloc effect, the substructure has to chemically bond and be in unison with composite restorative material. In order to provide near-optimum bonding, the substructure and the entire monobloc, which has to be built-up, have to be very closely adapted to the teeth around all the curves, right into the interproximal spaces. This means that the fibre material should have physical properties that allow curving and very easy manipulation into any shape (Figs. 5 & 6). The required materials for achieving a high quality functional and aesthetic splint are: _a pre-impregnated glass fibre-based splinting material; _a restorative micro/nano-filled composite material; _a flowable composite material; and _a bonding agent. The above only highlights the materials required and does not list the armamentarium, which would consist of a number of special hand instruments to achieve a high quality result and Fig. 7 Fig. 8 Fig. 9 Fig. 10 finish. Amongst the materials, the bonding agent and the composite restorative material are dependent on the clinician’s preference. The microor nano-filled range of products from any of the industry leaders in restorative materials are most appropriate. A good flowable material is also required to create a close fit of the splint material to the tooth surface, while a sixth or seventh generation bonding agent would be able to achieve the desired bond strength. The most critical aspect in achieving the ideal splint outcome is the selection of the fibre used as the substructure. There are a number of options available on the market. I have tested different splinting fibres throughout my career and quite a number of them has given very good results and lasted for years. Available materials have some favourable properties at the cost of some other undesirable elements and at times the clinician has to choose between sacrificing several of the desired elements in order to gain the others. The ideal substructure fibre material has the following properties: _high strength subsequent to polymerisation; _chemically bondable with composite resin material; _available in a pre-impregnated state; _no thicker than 0.2 mm; _available in varying widths; _easy to trim and cut; and _no memory as regards its form. Figs. 7–10_The clinical zero memory effect of the woven quartz splint demonstrated by adaptation around the entire curvature of the crown of an extracted molar. The material is not polymerised but stays in the newly adapted position. cosmetic dentistry 4 _ 2009 I 23