Survival rate of ceramic inlays.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the survival rate of ceramic inlays provided in a practice environment by one of the authors over the past decade. METHODS: 183 inlays were examined in 67 patients. The interval between placement and assessment was, on average, 4 years (s.d. 2.75 years) and varied from 4 months to 10 years. Kaplan-Meier survival-type curves were used to assess the survival rate. RESULTS: Five inlays failed: four due to endodontic reasons and one due to fracture. Four failures were in permanent molar teeth while the other was in a premolar tooth. A success rate of 97% at 10 years was estimated. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical durability of the resin-bonded ceramic inlays investigated was satisfactory.

Ceramic inlays: clinical assessment and survival rate.

PURPOSE: This study evaluates the clinical behavior of ceramic inlays placed during the past decade. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred eighty-two inlays were examined in 66 patients. The interval between placement and assessment was on average 5.9 years +/- 2.7, ranging from 2 to 11.7 years. Restorations still present at the time of evaluation were clinically assessed according to modified USPHS criteria. Kaplan-Meier statistical analysis was used to assess the survival rate. RESULTS: According to USPHS criteria, good results were obtained for color match, marginal discoloration, recurrent caries, contour, and marginal integrity. Six inlays failed: four for endodontic reasons, one due to recurrent caries, and the other due to fracture. The results indicate that a success rate of 95% could be predicted at 11.5 years. CONCLUSION: The lack of recurrent caries, the only slight changes in marginal discoloration and color match, combined with the excellent longevity prove that ceramic inlays are a valuable tool for the restoration of posterior teeth.

Scanning electron microscopy and profilometer evaluation of glazed and polished dental porcelain.

The surface roughness of Vita VMK porcelain following oven glazing and eight grinding/polishing treatments was analyzed qualitatively using scanning electron microscopy and quantitatively using a profilometer. Techniques were selected to simulate clinical practice. Scanning electron microscopy evaluation found oven glazing produced a better surface than other polishing methods. On the basis of the profilometric examination, the best roughness average value was obtained using diamond instruments with progressively smaller particle sizes (30, 15, and 8 microns). Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that all the treatments left the surfaces partially porous and cracked; however, the glazed surface yielded the best result. Although no significant differences were detected for the different treatments, the use of a 30-microns diamond instrument produced a rougher surface. No correlation was found between scanning electron microscopy and profilometer results. This study suggests that several procedures may be used to effectively finish ceramic surfaces.

A retrospective analysis of the perio-prosthetic aspect of teeth re-prepared during periodontal surgery.

This paper describes a retrospective study in which the gingival and periodontal status was assessed at crowned and natural teeth. 510 crowned teeth and 510 natural teeth in 109 subjects were examined. The time elapsed between active therapy and the clinical examination was: (i) 1 to 3 years for 270 teeth; (ii) 3 to 5 years for 168 teeth; (iii) 6 to 9 years for 72 teeth. 90% of the patients were on a recall schedule that required prophylaxis once every 3 months; 8% returned every 6 months and 2% once a month. Plaque index and gingival index were assessed at 4 sites per tooth and pocket depth at 6 sites per tooth, the highest reading per tooth being used for the statistical analysis. The results indicated that there was no difference in plaque and gingival indices between crowned and natural teeth. In addition, the gingival status of the crowned teeth was good, irrespective of the position of the crown margin (subgingival, at the gingival margin or supragingival).