Retrospective assessment of 546 all-ceramic anterior and posterior crowns in a general practice.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

There is need to determine whether following a consistent procedural protocol in a private dental practice will result in high success rates for all-ceramic anterior and posterior crowns fabricated from aluminous porcelain veneered to high-alumina content-supporting cores. Aluminous porcelain is known to have poor tensile strength and fracture resistance when subjected to shear forces.

PURPOSE

This study examined the long-term survivability of alumina core, all-ceramic crowns in both anterior and posterior locations.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Following a consistent protocol over 6 years, 546 all-ceramic, In-Ceram crowns (32.4% anterior [n = 177] and 67.6% posterior [n = 369]) were consecutively luted with glass ionomer resin hybrid cement and periodically observed by the same dentist who prepared and cemented them.

RESULTS

The overall success rate was 99.1% (n = 541) with a 0.9% (n = 5) failure rate. The success-to-failure ratio for anterior all-ceramic crowns was 98.9% to 1.1% (n = 175:2); the posterior crown ratio was 99.2% to 0.8% (n = 366:3).

CONCLUSION

Following a consistent protocol of careful tooth preparation and crown cementation resulted in high success rates for anterior and posterior all-ceramic crowns. Glass ionomer resin hybrid cement appeared to be a reliable luting agent. All-ceramic alumina core crowns are durable and provide optimum esthetic choices for anterior and posterior locations.