Clinical protocol for intraoral repair of a chipped all-ceramic crown: a case report

Ceramic chipping occurs frequently in veneered all-ceramic crowns, and the decision to repair or replace them depends on many factors. The least invasive method is the intraoral repair. This case report describes a conservative restorative treatment performed on a chipped dental crown. A 59-year-old patient fractured her all-ceramic crown, revealing chipping and debonding of the feldspathic ceramic veneer and exposure of the zirconia framework. The fractured fragment was brought to the dental office. Due to the patient's esthetic concerns about prolonged treatment, it was decided to use the fragment to repair the crown intraorally. The result exceeded the patient's expectations. The intraoral repair of a chipped all-ceramic crown is a conservative and low-cost alternative that allows for immediate restoration of the function and esthetics. It is essential to establish protocols that can support clinician decision-making about the most appropriate clinical treatment, seeking the longevity of the restoration and the dental structure.