Porcelain-veneered computer-generated partial crowns.

Area of Science:

• Dental materials science
• Computer-aided technology in dentistry
• Prosthodontics

Background:

• Optimizing esthetics, function, and strength in dental restorations is crucial.
• Computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) offers potential for fabricating complex dental prostheses.
• Layering restorations with conventional porcelain veneers can enhance esthetic outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the laboratory technique for fabricating CAD/CAM partial crowns.
• To evaluate the clinical performance of CAD/CAM partial crowns veneered with porcelain.
• To assess the feasibility of using CAD/CAM for partial crown preparation with shoulder finish lines.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of 38 partial crowns on mandibular and maxillary molars in 27 patients.
• Specific preparation designs included occlusal reduction and shoulder preparations around cusps and in proximal gingival regions.
• Computer-aided design (CAD) involved reducing the occlusal table and adjusting key anatomical landmarks.

Main Results:

• Occlusal table thickness ranged from 1.1 to 1.3 mm, with porcelain veneer thickness between 0.4 and 0.6 mm.
• Total occlusal table thickness consistently met or exceeded 1.5 mm.
• No fractures were observed in any of the 38 partial crowns during a 1 to 4-year clinical observation period.

Conclusions:

• CAD/CAM technology is a viable and convenient method for designing partial crowns.
• The technique allows for the integration of shoulder finish lines in partial crown preparations.
• The clinical performance indicates durability and success for CAD/CAM fabricated, porcelain-veneered partial crowns.