Clinical performance of enamel-dentine bonded all-ceramic restorations: retrospective evaluation in a postgraduate...

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical survival and success of five dif- ferent types of adhesive bonded all-ceramic restorations, in a postgraduate clinic. All ceramic enamel-dentin adhesive bonded restorations, either partial (n=94) or full coverage (n=145), were assessed by clinical examination using a modified Californian Dental Association (CDA) system for quality evaluation of dental care and a questionnaire assessing patient satis- faction (VAS) of 29 subjects with 239 restorations. The same 3-step adhesive bonding system in combination with dual-cured resin composite cement was used for all restorations Rubber dam was used for moisture control.The ceramics were evaluated with respect to patient satisfaction, esthetics, technical and biological complications. The reasons for treatment were mineralisation disorders (n=82), trauma (n=40), esthetic (n=57) and pathological tooth wear (n=60). Observation period for the restorations was up to 71 month (mean 33). All restorations were in place at the examinations (l00% survival rate). Number offractures and infractions were 28 and 20 respectively giving a 69% success rate. No significant difference was observed between full coverage and partial coverage restorations. Most of the fractures were small chippings of the veneering porcelain. From a biological point of view subgingival location of the restoration margin showed a significant correlation with bleeding on probing.The esthetic outcome seemed to depend on the ability of the selected veneering material to mask a severe tooth discoloration.The patients reported a high degree of satisfaction with both the esthetics and the function of their restorations. In conclusion all-ceramic enamel-dentin-bonded restorations demonstrated good short-term survival rate.The success rate was found to be lower. Both technical and biological complica- tions were present but mainly without any need of correction.The patients were in general very satisfied with the result of their dental treatment both esthetically and functionally.