Impact of rehabilitation with metal-ceramic restorations on oral health-related quality of life

CAD/CAM Diagnostic Esthetic Functional Splint (DEFS) as a Removable Prototype to Evaluate the Final Prosthetic Rehabilitation: A Narrative Review

The main objective of this narrative review was to provide an overview of DEFS (Diagnostic Esthetic Functional Splint), namely CAD/CAM manufactured, “snap-retained”, tooth-colored splints available by materials exhibiting a certain degree of elasticity (like polycarbonates or acetal resins) for restoring function, esthetics and occlusion in several clinical situations, before or as an intermediate alternative to undergoing the final treatment. The search strategy included all papers dealing with snap-retained prosthetic systems and was based on a literature review of papers available in electronic databases (Pubmed/Medline, Evidence-Based Dentistry, BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, Dynamed, Embase, BMJ Clinical Evidence, Web of Science, Scientific reports); eligible papers were researched on Opengreyand a manual search was performed, as well. From the electronic databases emerged 13,199 records, many of which were duplicates. The grey literature and the manual research did not produce any eligible article. After duplicates removal, 7690 records were obtained. Titles, abstracts and keywords were analyzed. The studies concerning the topic of interest were examined by the reviewers and discussed. Although no evidence-based data were found in the literature, according to the authors’ clinical experience, the DEFS (Diagnostic Esthetic Functional Splint) is a very promising solution in multiple clinical situations, due to its diagnostic, therapeutical, functional and esthetic versatility.

Oral health-related impact profile in full-mouth restored patients with two different tooth-colored restoration materials

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the change of oral health impact profile (OHIP) in patients with full-mouth rehabilitations due to moderate/severe tooth wear dependent on different restorative materials (ceramic/experimental CAD/CAM composite).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-nine healthy patients (15 male/14 female, age 44.6 ± 28.4 years) requiring full-mouth rehabilitation due to different degrees of tooth wear were instructed to fill the German version OHIP-G49 questionnaire before (baseline) and 30 days after prosthetic treatment with ceramic (n = 17) or experimental CAD/CAM composite (n = 12) restorations. Questions were divided into five dimensions: appearance, oral functions, psychosocial impact, linguistic limitations, and orofacial pain; changes between both OHIP-questionnaires for each question and patient were dissected by difference values, separately. Data were analyzed with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Wilcoxon's signed-rank, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, and Cronbach's alpha tests (significance level p = 0.01).

RESULTS

The appearance dimension showed the highest results (p < 0.001, 100% improvement with all values > 0); the linguistic limitations dimension presented the lowest improvement (p < 0.001). The other three dimensions were not statistically different. No statistical differences between the two materials depending on OHIP questionnaire results occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

The esthetic appearance of the patients was influenced positively by full-mouth rehabilitation, irrespective of the material used. Improvements were also made in the parameters "toothache" and "problem of food intake." No statements could be made for the parameter "language."

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

With an increasing number of patients with moderate/severe tooth wear, thorough knowledge about the improvement of OHIP is important. This information is advantageous for the consultation and handling of patients when complex treatments are planned.

Ceramic Fracture in Metal-Ceramic Restorations: The Aetiology

All dental restorations are liable to failure during function. Failure could be biologic, aesthetic, mechanical or a combination. Ceramic restorations in particular, including metal-ceramics, are prone to mechanical fracture, especially the fracture of veneering porcelain. Fracture of a metal-ceramic restoration jeopardizes function as well as aesthetics. It is equally onerous to manage for both patient and dentist. Optimal management of such cases requires a detailed knowledge of the aetiology behind this phenomenon. The current paper aims to highlight possible causative factors involved in the mechanical failures of metal-ceramic restorations. Clinical relevance: Ceramic fracture in metal-ceramic crowns and fixed partial dentures is routinely encountered in dental clinics. Knowledge of the aetiology is required to diagnose and manage such cases accurately as well as to avoid these errors in future.

Effect of finish line on marginal fit of sintered gold copings

The aim of this study was to evaluate the vertical marginal gap of sintered gold copings and metal-ceramic crowns with different finish line preparations: a beveled round shoulder (BRS) and a beveled long chamfer (BLC), testing the null hypotheses that there are no differences in marginal gap regardless of finish line and phase of restoration (coping or crown). Stainless steel master models were fabricated to simulate tooth preparation for metal-ceramic crowns with different finish lines (BRS and BLC). Ten dies were obtained from each model. Preparations were coated with 2 layers of spacer to 1 mm from the margin. Sintercast gold copings were prepared, sintered and adjusted to the dies. The copings (n=10) were placed onto the master model and the marginal gap was measured in 24 equidistant points using optical microscopy (X230). An opaque and two body ceramic layers were subsequently applied to the copings and the same measuring procedure was performed for the crowns. The data were analyzed statistically using paired and unpaired Student's t-test (α=0.05). Mean marginal gap values (µm) for the copings and crowns were, respectively: 113.6 and 117.1 for the BRS; and 58.2 and 74.3 for the BLC preparation. Significantly greater marginal gaps (p=0.0307) were found for restorations with BRS than with BLC finish line, which also showed statistically significant differences in the gap size between coping and crown (p=0.001). In conclusion, marginal gap is influenced by ceramic application on copings fabricated on BLC preparation, and greater marginal gaps were found for restorations with BRS finish line, rejecting the experimental null hypotheses.