Lines
Lines: Giuseppe Chiodera’s Book on Direct Posterior Restorations and Everyday Restorative Dentistry
Within the field of restorative dentistry and direct posterior restoration books, Lines – A Guide to Performing Simple and Successful Direct Posterior Restorations by Giuseppe Chiodera offers a highly practical approach to everyday restorative dentistry.
The volume was created with a precise objective: to transform the execution of a direct posterior restoration into a clear, organised, and repeatable clinical sequence. Diagnosis, occlusal assessment, rubber dam isolation, wedge placement, matrix selection, adhesion, restorative material selection, reconstruction of occlusal anatomy, finishing, and final control are connected through a true operative checklist.
Lines is not intended to be a traditional textbook of restorative dentistry. Giuseppe Chiodera describes it instead as a reasoned collection of tips, solutions, and experiences developed while facing the everyday challenges of clinical practice. The metaphor chosen by the author is that of an underground railway: each stop represents a clinical step, a problem to prevent, or a useful strategy for making procedures simpler and more predictable.
Published in 2025, the volume contains 376 pages and 2,208 images and is accompanied by the Lines Card, designed to serve as a template for rubber dam holes, an operative checklist, and a map of essential occlusal anatomy.
A Book on Direct Posterior Restorations Built Around Everyday Clinical Practice
Direct posterior restorations are among the most frequently performed procedures in restorative dentistry.
Their apparent routine nature can lead them to be considered simple. In reality, the quality of the final result depends on the interaction of numerous steps:
- correct diagnosis;
- occlusal assessment before treatment;
- field isolation;
- protection of adjacent teeth;
- wedge management;
- cavity preparation;
- caries control;
- adhesion;
- matrix selection;
- creation of the contact point;
- composite selection;
- reconstruction of occlusal anatomy;
- finishing;
- polishing;
- occlusal control.
An error in one of the initial phases may make everything that follows more difficult.
The principle running throughout the book is expressed very simply:
It is better to avoid problems than to find solutions.
In the introduction, Chiodera explains that the volume grew out of the experience accumulated while dealing with small and large clinical problems every day and searching for strategies to prevent them before they occur.
The Operative Checklist as a Method for Simplifying Restorative Dentistry
One of the most distinctive concepts in Lines is the operative checklist.
The aim is not to transform the restoration into a rigid sequence, but to reduce the likelihood of overlooking steps that may prove decisive for the final outcome.
The checklist presented in the book includes:
- diagnosis;
- assessment of occlusion and the antagonist;
- field isolation and dental floss;
- strategies for wedge placement;
- reading the tooth and silicone index;
- protecting neighbouring teeth;
- attention to caries;
- cavity control;
- assessment of interdental spaces;
- matrix selection;
- restorative material selection according to cavity size;
- essential anatomical lines;
- floss check;
- finishing and polishing;
- occlusal control.
The graphic map included in the volume displays these stages as underground railway stops, reinforcing the idea of an operative journey guiding the clinician from the beginning to the end of the procedure.
This approach is particularly useful both for younger clinicians and for experienced dentists who want to make their workflow more efficient and standardised.
The Lines Card: Checklist, Rubber Dam Template, and Anatomical Map
The Lines Card is supplied with the book and was developed as a tool for everyday clinical use.
The card has three principal functions.
The first is as an operative checklist. The different stages of the restoration are summarised through short reminders that help the clinician verify the workflow.
The second is its use as a template for marking rubber dam holes.
The third is as a map of essential occlusal forms, directly linked to the “Lines” concept that gives the book its title.
The card therefore physically reproduces the philosophy of the volume: reducing the complexity of restorative dentistry through a small number of clear and easily accessible references.
Diagnosis Before the Restoration
The Lines pathway begins with diagnosis.
Before discussing matrices, composites, and occlusal anatomy, the clinician must correctly establish:
- whether a lesion is present;
- its extent;
- its nature;
- possible activity;
- pulpal involvement;
- whether restorative intervention is truly necessary.
The first “line” of the book examines several diagnostic tools:
- mirrors and explorers;
- magnification systems;
- radiographs;
- transillumination;
- fluorescence;
- DIFOTI;
- DIAGNOdent Pen;
- vitality tests;
- assessment of erosive lesions.
The complete table of contents devotes a significant portion of the volume to diagnosis before moving into the restorative sequence.
This structure reinforces the idea that a good restoration begins well before cavity preparation.
Diagnosis and Technology: Tools, Indications, and Limitations
In the introduction, Chiodera explains that the journey begins by discussing diagnostic tools, their indications, and above all their limitations.
Technology is therefore regarded as support for the clinician rather than a replacement for clinical reasoning.
Radiographs, fluorescence systems, and transillumination can provide complementary information, but they must be interpreted in the context of the clinical examination.
This approach is particularly consistent with minimally invasive restorative dentistry, in which the decision to intervene should result from an accurate diagnosis rather than simply from the availability of a diagnostic device.
Assessing Occlusion and the Antagonist
One of the first steps in the checklist is the assessment of occlusion.
Before removing dental tissue, it is useful to observe:
- where the contacts are located;
- how they are distributed;
- which cusps participate in occlusion;
- which areas of the tooth will need reconstruction;
- the anatomy of the antagonist.
Occlusal anatomy is therefore not invented at the end of the restoration.
Before treatment begins, the clinician already has information that can guide reconstruction.
Observing the tooth before preparation also helps preserve a mental image of its original anatomy.
In the Lines workflow, occlusal control appears twice: at the beginning, as a planning tool, and at the end, as verification of the final result.
Rubber Dam Isolation
The rubber dam is one of the keywords listed among the book’s tags and occupies a central place in the checklist.
Field isolation helps create more controllable conditions during:
- preparation;
- adhesion;
- matrix placement;
- restoration;
- finishing.
However, rubber dam isolation is not interpreted as an isolated act.
The rubber dam also influences:
- interproximal relationships;
- wedge placement;
- visual access;
- floss management;
- tooth separation.
In the chapter devoted to wedges, for example, the author points out that the elastic rebound of the rubber dam tends to temporarily modify the relationship between the teeth and that this should be considered when reconstructing a contact point.
Dental Floss Before, During, and After the Restoration
Dental floss does not appear only in the final phase.
Within the checklist it is already associated with field isolation and later returns as the “floss check.”
This reflects the importance of controlling the interproximal space.
Floss may help to:
- verify contact points;
- assess spaces;
- assist rubber dam adaptation;
- detect excess material;
- check the quality of the completed restoration.
A contact point should not merely be present. It should allow floss to pass correctly without being either excessively weak or impossible to pass through.
The Wedge in Class II Posterior Restorations
One of the chapters shown in detail in the extract is devoted to strategies for wedge placement.
For Giuseppe Chiodera, in a Class II restoration a correctly selected and positioned wedge is one of the best ways to prevent problems.
The wedge should be able to:
- adequately separate the teeth;
- facilitate correct cavity preparation;
- allow inspection of the adjacent tooth;
- stabilise the matrix;
- support the cervical seal.
The author encourages clinicians to move beyond certain traditional assumptions.
The wedge does not necessarily have to be inserted from the buccal side and does not necessarily have to remain vertical.
It may be inserted:
- from the buccal side;
- from the palatal or lingual side;
- vertically;
- horizontally.
The choice depends on the specific space and the patient’s anatomy.
Selecting the Wedge According to the Interdental Space
The principle suggested in the book is to look for the largest wedge that can correctly fit the space requiring separation.
Moving from mesial to distal regions, the dimensions and morphology of interdental spaces change along with tooth anatomy.
For this reason, there is no single insertion direction suitable for every situation.
The book encourages clinicians to test different combinations until they identify the one that provides:
- the best adaptation;
- adequate separation;
- correct filling of the interdental space;
- stability;
- no interference with the matrix.
The objective is to invest time at the beginning of the procedure in order to save time later.
Wooden and Plastic Wedges
The chapter also compares wooden and plastic wedges.
According to the approach illustrated by the author, both may be valid but have different characteristics.
Plastic wedges benefit from elastic rebound and may adapt well to the space, although they may provide less separation.
Wood, on the other hand, provides effective separation and may improve its adaptation through water absorption.
The choice is not transformed into a universal rule.
Chiodera leaves room for the operator’s experience and for compatibility between the wedge, matrix, and separation ring used in the specific case.
Why Separate the Teeth During a Direct Restoration?
Interdental separation must compensate for several factors.
One of these is the thickness of the matrix itself.
Once the matrix is removed, the space it occupied is no longer present. Without adequate separation, the final contact may therefore be insufficient.
The rubber dam may also temporarily influence the relationship between teeth.
The combination of these effects makes wedge and ring management fundamental for obtaining a clinically appropriate contact point.
The wedge must also contribute to the cervical seal of the matrix, reducing the risk of composite extrusion in the most apical portion of the cavity.
Customising the Wedge
One of the most representative examples of the “smart” philosophy of Lines is wedge customisation.
A wedge that is too bulky coronally can deform the matrix and create an unwanted indentation.
The book proposes several solutions:
- modifying the wedge extraorally;
- positioning it horizontally;
- inserting it before preparation;
- customising it while preparing the cervical portion.
The latter solution makes it possible to create a wedge that is directly compatible with the cavity and future matrix.
The objective is straightforward: solve the problem before the matrix is placed.
Split the Wedge
Another strategy illustrated in the book is the Split the Wedge technique.
The posterior portion of a wooden wedge is divided into two more elastic sections while preserving its separation ability.
This modification may allow the ring to adapt better when a larger wedge interferes with its ends.
The chapter visually illustrates the transition from the intact wedge to the modified wedge and the subsequent adaptation of the ring.
This is a good example of the type of content that characterises the book: not only theoretical principles, but everyday clinical problems accompanied by practical solutions.
Reading the Tooth Before Reconstructing It
One of the checklist stops is “Read the Tooth and Silicone Index.”
The ability to read the tooth is essential when creating direct posterior restorations.
Before preparing the cavity, it is useful to observe:
- cusp arrangement;
- marginal ridges;
- primary grooves;
- secondary grooves;
- fossae;
- slope inclination;
- relationship with the antagonist.
The tooth itself therefore becomes the primary source of information for the future restoration.
When part of the original anatomy is still present, it can guide reconstruction.
When the structure is more severely compromised, tools such as a silicone index can help preserve and transfer the available anatomical information.
Posterior Teeth and Occlusal Forms
Among the book’s tags are posterior teeth and occlusal forms.
These concepts are closely connected to the Lines method.
In the foreword, Walter Devoto and Angelo Putignano refer to the cards created by Giuseppe Chiodera showing the essential signs of posterior occlusal anatomy, which are widely used by students and professionals and have also been incorporated into university teaching.
The objective is not to reproduce every anatomical detail through excessively complex modelling.
The concept of essential lines instead attempts to identify the references that immediately make the anatomy readable.
For clinicians performing direct posterior restorations, this may translate into simpler and more controlled reconstruction.
The Essential Lines of Occlusal Anatomy
The “Essential Lines” chapter is one of the defining elements of the work.
The title Lines comes precisely from the idea of transforming posterior anatomy into a series of easy-to-remember visual references.
When reconstructing molars and premolars, the objective should not be to create an arbitrarily complex design.
The clinician must be able to identify:
- the direction of the main ridges;
- relationships between cusps;
- positions of the fossae;
- groove patterns;
- overall shape of the occlusal table.
Occlusal forms therefore become easier to reconstruct when interpreted through a simplified visual structure.
This approach is particularly useful for clinicians who find posterior sculpting difficult or who wish to reduce modelling time.
Protecting the Adjacent Teeth
During preparation of an interproximal cavity, the adjacent tooth must be protected.
The book devotes a specific stop to “Taking Care of the Neighbours.”
A healthy adjacent tooth must be considered during:
- preparation;
- bur use;
- opening of the contact;
- wedge placement;
- matrix application;
- finishing.
The quality of a restoration cannot be judged by looking only at the treated tooth.
A restorative procedure that causes iatrogenic damage to the adjacent tooth cannot truly be considered conservative.
Attention to Caries and Cavity Control
Two separate stages in the checklist are devoted to:
- attention to caries;
- cavity control.
This distinction suggests that removing altered tissue and assessing the final cavity are two different moments in the procedure.
The clinician should verify:
- extent of the lesion;
- remaining structures;
- margins;
- cavity position;
- accessibility;
- relationship with the pulp;
- possibility of isolation;
- compatibility with the subsequent adhesive procedure.
Checking the cavity before adhesion reduces the risk of discovering too late a problem that should have been corrected earlier.
Once again, the philosophy is preventive: verify each step before moving to the next one.
Assessing Interdental Spaces
The morphology of the interproximal space directly influences:
- wedge selection;
- matrix selection;
- ring placement;
- contact formation;
- restoration profile.
For this reason, Lines devotes a specific stage to evaluating interdental spaces.
Not all contacts have the same geometry.
Morphology may vary according to:
- position in the arch;
- tooth dimensions;
- inclination;
- wear;
- pre-existing restorations;
- tooth migration.
This information should guide the selection of matrix and separation systems.
A system that works effectively on a premolar does not necessarily need to be applied in exactly the same way on a molar.
Choosing the Matrix for Direct Posterior Restorations
Matrix selection is one of the decisive steps in Class II restorations.
The objective is not simply to contain the composite.
The matrix contributes to determining:
- proximal contour;
- marginal ridge height;
- contact point or contact area;
- cervical adaptation;
- external restoration shape.
The checklist intentionally separates the assessment of the interdental space from matrix selection.
First the clinician understands the anatomy of the case; then the most suitable system is selected.
This reduces the tendency to use the same matrix in every clinical situation.
Simplifying Adhesion
Another important stop in the pathway is “Simplify Adhesion.”
Adhesion is one of the most biologically and technically sensitive stages in direct restorative dentistry.
Simplifying does not mean trivialising the protocol.
It means creating conditions that reduce variables:
- correct isolation;
- controlled cavity;
- accessible surfaces;
- a defined sequence;
- materials familiar to the clinician;
- respect for operative times;
- correct light curing.
Efficiency therefore begins with preparation of the previous stages.
When isolation, matrix, wedge, and cavity are already under control, the adhesive phase can be performed more smoothly.
Restorative Material and Cavity Size
Another checklist step links restorative material to cavity size.
Composite selection and restorative technique do not necessarily have to be identical for all cavities.
The amount of tooth structure to be reconstructed influences:
- increment volume;
- shrinkage management;
- modelling technique;
- need for different viscosities;
- light-curing accessibility;
- operative time;
- anatomical control.
Cavity size therefore becomes a criterion for simplifying the strategy.
The general principle remains to avoid unnecessary complexity when the case can be managed through a simpler procedure.
Finishing and Polishing
Finishing and polishing are not merely aesthetic stages.
They are used to control:
- margins;
- excesses;
- interproximal profile;
- surface texture;
- anatomy;
- transitions between composite and tooth;
- accessibility to dental floss.
A good finishing phase is much easier when the anatomy has already been correctly constructed during layering and sculpting.
The volume therefore places finishing and polishing near the end of the pathway, but their success actually depends on the quality of all previous stops.
The objective should not be to use a bur to completely “sculpt” a restoration after polymerisation.
The more accurate the modelling, the fewer corrections will be necessary.
Final Occlusal Control
The checklist ends with “Check the Occlusion.”
This brings the clinical pathway back to where it began.
Before treatment, occlusion is observed to understand what needs to be reconstructed.
At the end, it is checked again to ensure that the restoration is functionally integrated.
The clinician should assess:
- possible premature contacts;
- contact distribution;
- relationship with the antagonist;
- patient comfort;
- consistency with the initial situation.
The restoration is therefore assessed not only by examining its shape, but also by verifying its functional integration.
Error Prevention as the Philosophy of Lines
Many restorative dentistry books show how to correct a problem once it has occurred.
Lines attempts to anticipate it.
The concept emerges clearly in the chapter on wedge placement.
It is better to select the wedge correctly than to remove cervical excess later.
It is better to protect the matrix than to correct a distorted contour.
It is better to separate the teeth correctly than to end up with a weak contact.
It is better to assess occlusion before treatment than to reconstruct it from memory afterwards.
This philosophy can be summarised in three steps:
- anticipate the problem;
- include a control point in the checklist;
- make the solution repeatable.
This is probably one of the elements that makes Lines especially useful for everyday clinical practice.
Simple Restorative Dentistry Does Not Mean Approximate Restorative Dentistry
One of the implicit keywords throughout the book is simplification.
The subtitle itself promises a guide to performing direct posterior restorations that are “simple and successful.”
Simplicity, however, does not result from eliminating important steps.
It results from turning them into an organised sequence.
A simple protocol can be extremely rigorous when it clearly establishes:
- what to observe;
- when to observe it;
- which problem to prevent;
- which instrument to use;
- when to move to the next step.
The book is therefore also intended for clinicians who want to make their procedures more efficient, reducing wasted time and later corrections without reducing quality.
Giuseppe Chiodera and StyleItaliano
Giuseppe Chiodera graduated in Dentistry from the University of Brescia in 2004.
In the same year, he received a scholarship at King’s College London. Since 2017, he has been an active member of StyleItaliano.
He has taught in several university programmes and postgraduate courses, including Sapienza University of Rome, the University of Geneva, UIC Barcelona, the University of Brescia, the University of Siena, and the University of Padua. His private clinical practice is mainly devoted to restorative and aesthetic dentistry.
The influence of StyleItaliano is also visible in the structure of Lines: strong emphasis on images, simplified concepts, practical protocols, and a highly visual teaching style.
A Highly Visual Book with More Than 2,200 Images
With 2,208 images across 376 pages, Lines is designed to be seen as much as read.
The extract shows a substantial combination of:
- clinical photographs;
- schematic drawings;
- diagrams;
- infographics;
- checklist representations;
- step-by-step examples;
- take-home messages.
In the chapter on wedge placement, for example, the drawings immediately clarify the relationship between wedge, matrix, ring, and interproximal space, while the photographs demonstrate how these concepts translate into clinical practice.
The visual format is particularly appropriate for learning restorative techniques, where position, shape, and geometry can often be understood more easily through an image than through a lengthy description.
Take-Home Messages for Remembering the Key Steps
The volume also uses take-home messages to summarise the most important concepts.
In the chapter devoted to the wedge, for example, the final message encourages clinicians to:
- try buccal or palatal insertion;
- try the wedge vertically or horizontally;
- position it early so it can be customised.
This structure also makes the book easy to consult after the first reading.
Clinicians can quickly return to a specific “stop” when they encounter a clinical problem and review the strategies proposed.
Who Is Lines Intended For?
Lines is intended for:
- general dentists;
- clinicians practising restorative dentistry;
- restorative dentists;
- young dentists;
- dental students;
- postgraduate trainees;
- professionals interested in direct posterior restorations;
- clinicians wishing to improve occlusal anatomy;
- dentists who want to standardise their operative checklist;
- professionals interested in rubber dam isolation, matrices, and adhesive techniques.
The author explicitly states that the pathway is designed both for beginners and for clinicians who already perform restorations every day but want to make their procedures more efficient in terms of time and complexity.
Why Read Lines?
Lines is not merely a book about the anatomy of posterior teeth or composite sculpting.
It is a comprehensive guide to the pathway required to perform a direct posterior restoration.
The volume integrates:
- direct posterior restorations;
- restorative dentistry;
- posterior teeth;
- occlusal forms;
- operative checklist;
- rubber dam;
- diagnosis;
- occlusion;
- wedges;
- matrices;
- adhesion;
- composites;
- finishing;
- polishing.
Its main value lies in its organisation.
Every step is placed within a pathway in which the quality of the final result depends largely on the ability to prevent errors during the preceding stages.
For readers seeking a book by Giuseppe Chiodera on direct posterior restorations, capable of transforming everyday restorative dentistry into a simpler, more visual, and more repeatable sequence, Lines offers a method immediately oriented towards clinical practice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lines by Giuseppe Chiodera
1. What is the book Lines about?
Lines is a practical guide to performing direct posterior restorations. It guides clinicians from diagnosis to final occlusal control through a checklist that includes isolation, wedges, matrices, adhesion, anatomy, finishing, and polishing.
2. Who is Giuseppe Chiodera?
Giuseppe Chiodera is a dentist primarily devoted to restorative and aesthetic dentistry. He has been an active member of StyleItaliano since 2017 and is involved in teaching and lecturing in Italy and abroad.
3. Who is Lines intended for?
The book is intended both for young dentists and students and for experienced clinicians who want to simplify and standardise their protocols for direct posterior restorations.
4. Does the book cover rubber dam isolation?
Yes. Rubber dam isolation is one of the main stages of the operative checklist and is connected to floss management, wedge placement, and control of interproximal spaces.
5. Does the book explain how to reconstruct occlusal anatomy?
Yes. One of the central concepts is that of essential lines, used to simplify the reading and reconstruction of posterior occlusal anatomy.
6. What role do posterior tooth forms play in the book?
Posterior tooth anatomy is used as a reference for understanding essential occlusal forms. Chiodera’s cards graphically summarise these anatomical landmarks.
7. What is the Lines Card?
It is a card supplied with the book. It can be used as an operative checklist, as a template for marking rubber dam holes, and as a map for remembering essential occlusal anatomy.
8. Does the book cover Class II restorations?
Yes. Considerable attention is devoted to the management of interproximal spaces, wedges, matrices, and the creation of appropriate contacts in posterior restorations.
9. How does the book approach wedge selection?
The book suggests adapting wedge selection to the clinical situation, testing buccal or palatal insertion and vertical or horizontal orientation when necessary. It also describes strategies for customising the wedge to avoid interference with the matrix.
10. Does Lines also cover caries diagnosis?
Yes. The first part of the book is devoted to diagnosis and includes radiographs, transillumination, fluorescence, DIFOTI, DIAGNOdent Pen, vitality tests, and other diagnostic tools.
11. Does the book cover matrices and adhesion?
Yes. “Simplify Adhesion” and “Which Matrix to Choose” are specific sections of the operative checklist.
12. Why purchase Lines?
Because it offers a visual and practical protocol for direct posterior restorations, transforming the various clinical stages into an easily repeatable checklist and focusing particularly on error prevention.
Contents and Topics
The volume is organised into three main “lines.”
L1 – Diagnosis
- Active Care;
- mirrors and explorers;
- magnification systems;
- radiographs;
- transillumination;
- fluorescence and DIFOTI;
- DIAGNOdent Pen;
- vitality tests;
- erosive lesions;
- Active Care Protocol.
L2 – Operative Checklist
- assess occlusion and the antagonist;
- field isolation and dental floss;
- strategies for wedge placement;
- read the tooth and silicone index;
- protect neighbouring teeth;
- attention to caries;
- cavity control;
- assess interdental spaces;
- simplify adhesion;
- which matrix to choose;
- restorative material and cavity size;
- essential lines;
- floss check;
- finishing and polishing;
- check occlusion.
L3 – Strategies
- health;
- strategies and “smart ideas” applicable to clinical practice;
- recommended reading.
