Three-unit CAD/CAM-generated lithium disilicate FDPs after a mean observation time of 46 months

• Published in: Clinical oral investigations Vol. 18; no. 9; pp. 2171 - 2178
• Main Authors: Reich, Sven, Endres, Lutz, Weber, Claudia, Wiedhahn, Klaus, Neumann, Peter, Schneider, Oliver, Rafai, Nicole, Wolfart, Stefan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.12.2014; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aluminum Silicates - chemistry; Computer-Aided Design; Dental Restoration Failure - statistics & numerical data; Dentistry; Denture Design; Denture, Partial, Fixed; Female; Humans; Male; Medicine; Middle Aged; Observation; Original Article; FDP; Full-contour; Lithium disilicate; CAD/CAM; Clinical; Glass–ceramic; All-ceramic
• ISSN: 1432-6981; 1436-3771
• DOI: 10.1007/s00784-014-1191-8

Objectives Lithium disilicate can easily be machined by CAM techniques in its metasilicate status. Due to slightly inferior material properties, the material is not yet recommended for three-unit fixed dental prosthesis (FDP) as it is the case for the press material up to the second bicuspid. Therefore, the aim of this clinical study was to evaluate the performance of CAD/CAM-fabricated lithium disilicate FDPs. Materials and methods A total of 32 anterior and posterior FDPs were provided for 32 patients. Twelve FDPs were fabricated chair-side. The first recall took place 6 months after insertion and then annually. The FDPs were rated according to biological and technical complications. As failure, those events were defined, which led to the removal of a FDP. The failure-free (survival) rate and the complication-free rate were calculated according to Kaplan–Meier. Results After a mean observation time of 46 months (SD ± 8.4 months), three endodontic complications in two FDPs, two minor chippings, and one catastrophic fracture occurred. One FDP had to be removed due to persisting undefined complaints. Thus, the failure-free rate and the complication-free rate were revealed as 93 and 83 %, respectively. Conclusions Despite the limited observation period, the results are promising, especially due to the fact that the fractured FDP did not fulfill the recommended connector dimensions. Clinical relevance Inserted as a full-contour three-unit FDP within its indications, the CAD/CAM lithium disilicate ceramic offers an appropriate alternative to layered restorations.