Effect of Preparation Design on the Marginal Adaptation and Fracture Resistance of Occlusal Veneers Using Different Ceramic Materials (An In Vitro Study)

Abstract

The loss of coronal tooth structure for pathologic reasons can be related to a multitude of individual and/or combined etiologic factors related to oral and dietary habits which ultimately cause abrasion and/ or erosion of enamel and dentin. With the pattern and extent of damage to severely worn teeth, the restoration of these defects becomes increasingly demanding and often requires multiple alterations to preparation design. Therefore, a conservative approach as part of “minimally invasive dentistry” in both the preparation and restoration design is emerging.

To achieve such a conservative preparation; a restorative material will be needed to attain enough strength while allowing minimum thickness. These two properties can be attained with the use of modern ceramics and computerized restorative dentistry (CAD/CAM).

Henceforth, the present study was aimed at studying posterior occlusal veneers as a recent treatment option for restoring worn occlusal surfaces. The use of various preparation designs and modern ceramics milled with CAD/CAM machinery was investigated. Marginal adaptation and fracture resistance were investigated in an attempt to give an idea about the durability of the restoration under laboratory conditions.

The aim of this study was to evaluate marginal adaptation and Fracture resistance of occlusal veneers with two different preparations: the standard occlusal preparation and standard occlusal preparation with a buccal veneer extension ‘vonlay’; using different ceramic materials: Lithium disilicate ceramic, hybrid ceramic and Translucent solid zirconia.