Clinical evaluation of an urethane tetramethacrylate-based composite material as a prosthetic veneering agent

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the clinical performance of a hybrid composite material used as a prosthetic veneering agent after servicing for more than 4 years. A photo-curable composite material (Cesead) was selected as the veneering agent. Composite resin veneered restorations made with the composite and a noble metal alloy were inserted into 110 teeth of 40 patients. Modified United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria were used for direct evaluation of colour matching ability, veneer-metal interfacial staining, veneer surface texture, staining of the metal casting, and wear of the veneer-metal interface. After an average observation period of 5 years and 3 months, the rate of restorations considered to be clinically ideal (Alfa) was 75.5% for colour match, 93.6% for veneer-metal interfacial staining, 82.7% for veneer surface texture, 97.3% for staining of the metal casting, and 95.5% for wear. The restorations judged as clinically unacceptable (Charlie) consisted of only one case for colour match and three cases for veneer surface texture. Although the Alfa rate decreased with increasing length of service, the Cesead composite is considered to be a clinically reliable material as a prosthetic veneering agent.