A Brief History of Tooth Wear.

Historical publications that have significantly improved the understanding of tooth wear mechanisms are reviewed with a focus on descriptions of the lesions, the evolution of their classification systems, and considerations addressing the main risk factors. Surprisingly, most important advances are often the oldest. Likewise, they are currently only marginally known, which requires a major dissemination effort.

Complete denture fabrication with CAD/CAM technology: a case report.

Demographers agree that the so-called elderly population will increase steadily in the future. Not only will their numbers increase, but they will live to an older age. In the case of fully edentulous patients, implant treatment is a possibility, but for many, rehabilitation by means of full removable dentures is still the preferred option. In recent decades, computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) has brought about what can only be described as a revolution in dental offices and dental laboratories. CAD/CAM has many areas of application, and these are constantly increasing. In response to the growing demand from users, CAD/CAM can now produce sets of complete removable dentures using a virtual design and fabrication process. A protocol for a new CAD/CAM-supported method is presented here in a clinical case report. Laboratory procedures are simplified because a number of the conventional steps have now disappeared. Today, it is possible to design the shape of the teeth for each patient, which results in a better customization of the dentures. Combined with appropriate staining of the teeth and denture base, this method produces full removable dentures that integrate very well into the patient's face to ensure a good esthetic result.

Marginal adaptation of ceramic crowns: a systematic review.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: After the development of a variety of ceramic restorative systems over the past 20 years, the fabrication of fixed dental prostheses has undergone considerable change. Esthetics and resistance to fracture are two of the main determinants of the success of a restoration; the third is marginal adaptation. Therefore, a systematic review of the literature dedicated to the marginal accuracy of ceramic systems is indicated. PURPOSE: This study reviewed the current scientific literature that pertains to the marginal fit of ceramic crowns fabricated with different systems and investigated the factors that influence marginal adaptation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An electronic search was completed by using the PubMed and Scopus databases with the following combination of key words: (discrepancy or fit or gaps or adaptation) and (disilicate or ceramic) and (copings or crowns). The search was limited to English-language peer-reviewed articles published before April 15, 2012. Titles and abstracts were read to identify articles that fulfilled the inclusion criteria designed for this review. RESULTS: Of 469 studies identified, 54 satisfied the selection criteria and were included in this review. All were published between 1994 and 2012. A total of 17 ceramic systems were tested in 48 in vitro and 6 in vivo studies. Of all the marginal gaps measured, 94.9% were in the range of clinical acceptability. Study heterogeneity made it impossible to conduct a proper meta-analysis of research findings and to compare and rank the various systems in terms of marginal fit. Four parameters were found to influence marginal adaptation: finish line configuration, value of the predefined cementing space, veneering process, and cementation. CONCLUSIONS: The systems evaluated in the selected articles generally provide a clinically acceptable marginal fit. The current state of research does not allow for a proper comparison of the various systems in terms of marginal fit. The use of computer x-ray microtomography is recommended for further research on marginal adaptation.