All-ceramic Computer-aided Design and Computer-aided Manufacturing Restorations: Evolution of Structures and Criteria...

At a time when esthetics is becoming increasingly important in society, the metal-ceramic system, although clinically reliable in the long term, no longer grants satisfaction in terms of mimicry and biocompatibility. Over the last two decades, the growth of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems has promoted the development of new all-ceramic materials. However, the abundance and diversity of the suggested materials involved in fixed prosthetic rehabilitation place the practitioner in a situation of conflict regarding the choice of selecting the type of restoration appropriate to the clinical situation presented to him/her.

The aim of this article is to classify the different types of milled ceramics according to their microstructure, to review the clinical indications of each, and to indicate whether they should be cemented or bonded.

The diverse sorts of milled ceramics using the CAD/CAM procedures are classified into four categories according to their chemical nature. Therefore, the large constitutional and structural variety of the all-ceramic materials will define the esthetic and mechanical properties of each group.

The all-ceramic CAD/CAM restorations are witnessing a well-deserved rise, knowing that none of those milled ceramics has a universal clinical application.

Given the abundance and diversity of the new machined ceramics materials, it is necessary to familiarize with their properties as well as with their mode of assembling to the dental structures to ensure the success and durability of the restoration.