Clinical evaluation of etched porcelain veneers

This study evaluated 115 etched porcelain laminate veneers placed by a single operator at New York University Dental Center between 1982 and 1985. The restorations were divided into two groups. Group I consisted of 43 restorations placed without any tooth preparation; Group II consisted of 72 restorations placed using a chamfer preparation. The U.S.P.H.S. criteria was used to record cavosurface marginal discoloration, marginal integrity, and presence of caries. A clinical examination also revealed the number of debonds and/or the number of fractures of porcelain. A periodontal evaluation included the use of baseline and recall stone replicas of restored teeth to measure the height of the free gingival margin taken mid-facial to the incisal edge of the restoration. Any changes in gingival contour were also noted. Plaque and gingival indices were also recorded. The low fracture and debond rate found in the study combined with no incidence of caries seem to indicate that these restorations are functioning satisfactorily and with minimal negative periodontal response.