Tooth preparation for full-coverage restorations-a literature review

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Restorative Dentistry
• Prosthodontics

Background:

• Tooth preparation is crucial for full-coverage restorations.
• Understanding biological, geometric, and technical factors is essential.
• Advancements in materials like all-ceramics influence preparation design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review current knowledge on tooth preparation for full-coverage restorations.
• To assess biological parameters, preparation geometry, and technical conditions.
• To identify best practices for improving clinical outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search across MEDLINE, DIMDI, and Cochrane databases.
• Augmented search with manual citation review.
• Analysis of 117 relevant citations, including reviews, clinical, and in vitro studies.

Main Results:

• Tooth preparation principles are largely unchanged, but material-specific geometric demands exist.
• Quantifying safe tooth structure removal remains a significant challenge.
• Supragingival margins are preferred to protect periodontal tissues.
• No single finish line design guarantees superior marginal accuracy.

Conclusions:

• Achieving a well-fitting restoration depends on margin detectability for technicians and scanning devices.
• Careful consideration of preparation geometry and biological factors is vital.
• Improved understanding of these aspects can enhance daily clinical practice and patient outcomes.