[Removal of a high-translucency zirconia crown with Er:YAG laser: a case report]

The removal of a full crown typically requires considerable chairside time, and the interface between zirconia and resin cement in zirconia restoration is difficult to discern. A high-speed dental handpiece may damage residual dental tissue, thereby affecting the final outcome. The article presents a case after a restoration involving a fiber post, resin core, and zirconia full crown. For esthetic purposes, the removal of the full crown is necessary. An Er:YAG laser was used to completely remove the intact crown, which was then used as temporary restoration. A satisfactory esthetic result was attained after the final restoration. The case suggests that crown extraction with an Er:YAG laser is a safe and effective technique.