Approaches for intraoral repair of ceramic restorations

Ceramic-based restorations are an important part of a dentist's armamentarium for durability and esthetics. Because of the brittle nature of ceramic materials, these restorations have the potential to fracture. Repairing ceramic-based restorations can increase the clinical longevity of failed restorations and offer the dentist and patient a cost-effective alternative to replacement. Newer porcelain repair systems show excellent adhesion durability of resin-based composites to the fractured ceramic and exposed metal surfaces. This article reviews the basic principles of ceramic repair and details the use of five intraoral porcelain repair systems.