A comparison of all-ceramic restorative systems: Part 2

Overall, any of these systems can provide well-fitting, natural looking restorations as long as care is taken during the preparation and fabrication procedures. A key to successful use of all-ceramic materials is proper selection based on the clinical conditions involved in specific restorative procedures (see table). All systems have limitations on their use and when we try to stretch those limits, success rates may fall drastically. High stress areas should shift selection to high strength, clinically documented materials. Low stress areas requiring high translucency may be restored successfully using the lower strength castable glasses. Intermediate areas may shift selection to higher strength yet still translucent materials such as In-Ceram Spinell or Empress 2. Posterior regions might best be addressed with the use of In-Ceram Alumina or Procera. The case of posterior bridges would lock the selection into In-Ceram Zirconia. Finally, it is important for each of us to continually educate ourselves and to examine the evidence in order to make an informed decision and maximize clinical success.