The case for onlays versus tooth-colored crowns

Impact of different complete coverage onlay preparation designs and the intraoral scanner on the accuracy of digital scans

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The trueness and precision of intraoral scanners (IOSs) and the effect of intracoronal restorations have been reported. However, studies addressing the accuracy of IOSs in reproducing different complete coverage onlay preparation designs are lacking.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of complete coverage onlay preparation design and intraoral scanning devices on the accuracy of digital scans in terms of trueness and precision.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Three preparation designs on the mandibular first molar were considered: a traditional preparation design with isthmus reduction (IST), a traditional preparation design without isthmus reduction (wIST), and simplified nonretentive preparation (nRET). Digital scans of epoxy resin mandibular arch reference models of the preparations (containing second premolar, first molar, and second molar) were obtained by using 3 IOSs (iTero Element 2 [ELE], TRIOS 3 [TRI], and Primescan [PRI]) (n=10). Trueness (μm) and precision (μm) were analyzed by superimposing the digital scan on the digital reference models obtained with a high-accuracy industrial scanner (ATOS Core 80) in a tridimensional metrology software program. Accuracy was quantified by the absolute deviation (μm). Local and overall mean positive and negative deviations for trueness were also obtained. Data were analyzed by using the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests with a statistical software program (α=.05).

RESULTS

The nonretentive preparation groups obtained higher trueness (3.8 μm) and precision (2.7 μm) than the IST and wIST groups (trueness=7.5 to 6.3 μm, precision=5.5 to 4.6 μm). Trueness values were lower with ELE×IST (16 μm), followed by ELE×wIST (13 μm), and PRI×IST (7.8 μm). In general, no difference was found between PRI and TRI scanners (6.3 to 5.9 μm), with lower performance for ELE (13 μm). Positive deviations were higher on the proximal box of the IST and wIST preparation and on the occlusal box of the IST group. Negative deviation was higher on the ELE×IST occlusal box.

CONCLUSIONS

Different intraoral scanners and preparation designs influenced the accuracy of digital scans. A more complex preparation such as IST and wIST showed higher deviation. The iTero Element 2 scanner exhibited higher deviation for both trueness and precision.

Different Designs of Deep Marginal Elevation and Its Influence on Fracture Resistance of Teeth with Monolith Zirconia Full-Contour Crowns

Background and objectives: Even with the demand for high esthetics, the strength of the material for esthetic applications continues to be important. In this study, monolith zirconia (MZi) crowns fabricated using CAD/CAM were tested for fracture resistance (FR) in teeth with class II cavity designs with varying proximal depths, restored through a deep marginal elevation technique (DME). Materials and Methods: Forty premolars were randomly divided into four groups of ten teeth. In Group A, tooth preparation was conducted and MZi crowns were fabricated. In Group B, mesio-occluso-distal (MOD) cavities were prepared and restored with microhybrid composites before tooth preparation and the fabrication of MZi crowns. In Groups C and D, MOD cavities were prepared, differentiated by the depth of the gingival seat, 2 mm and 4 mm below the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ). Microhybrid composite resin was used for DME on the CEJ and for the restoration of the MOD cavities; beforehand, tooth preparations were conducted and MZi crowns were and cemented using resin cement. The maximum load to fracture (in newtons (N)) and FR (in megapascals (MPa)) were measured using the universal testing machine. Results: The average scores indicate a gradual decrease in the load required to fracture the samples from Groups A to D, with mean values of 3415.61 N, 2494.11 N, 2108.25 N and 1891.95 N, respectively. ANOVA revealed highly significant differences between the groups. Multiple group comparisons using the Tukey HSD post hoc test revealed that Group D had greater DME depths and showed significant differences compared with Group B. Conclusions: FR in teeth decreased when more tooth structure was involved, even with MZi crowns. However, DME up to 2 mm below the CEJ did not negatively influence the FR. Strengthening the DME-treated teeth with MZi crowns could be a reasonable clinical option, as the force required to fracture the samples far exceeded the maximum recorded biting force for posterior teeth.

Onlays/partial crowns versus full crowns in restoring posterior teeth: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Tooth-colored onlays and partial crowns for posterior teeth have been used increasingly in clinics. However, whether onlays/partial crowns could perform as well as full crowns in the posterior region was still not evaluated thoroughly.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted without language restrictions in Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial and Web of science until September 2021. RCTs, prospective and retrospective observational studies with a mean follow-up of 1 year were selected. Cochrane Collaboration's tool was adopted for quality assessment of the RCT. The quality of observational studies was evaluated following Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The random-effects and fixed-effects model were employed for meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Four thousand two hundred fifty-seven articles were initially searched. Finally, one RCT was identified for quality assessment and five observational studies for qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis. The RCT was of unclear risk of bias while five observational studies were evaluated as low risk. The meta-analysis indicated no statistically significant difference in the survival between onlays/partial crowns and full crowns after 1 year (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.02-18.08; I² = 57.0%; P = 0.127) and 3 years (OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.20-2.17; I² = 0.0%; P = 0.747). For the success, onlays/partial crowns performed as well as crowns (OR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.20-1.72; I² = 0.0%; P = 0.881) at 3 years. No significant difference of crown fracture existed between the two methods (RD = 0.00, 95% CI: - 0.03-0.03; I² = 0.0%; P = 0.972).

CONCLUSIONS

Tooth-colored onlays/partial crowns performed as excellently as full crowns in posterior region in a short-term period. The conclusions should be further consolidated by RCTs with long-term follow-up.

Biomechanical planning for minimally invasive indirect restorations

This paper explores the planning and execution of indirect partial-coverage restorations and will outline practical recommendations for maximising the outcomes for minimally invasive (MI) approaches to indirect restorations, with a special focus on vital teeth, endodontically-treated teeth and worn dentitions. Throughout the paper, the supporting evidence for each rationale for partial-coverage restorations will be considered, as well as the risks and benefits of adopting an MI approach to indirect restorations.