Clinical Success Evaluation of Ultrathin Ceramic Veneers Bonded to Nonprepared Teeth: An Observational Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND

Patients' increasing interest in achieving optimal cosmetic outcomes and the widespread use of ultrathin ceramic veneers offer advantages such as high esthetic results and long-term durability. Several issues related to tooth preparation have been raised, including dental sensitivity, periodontal diseases, and increased treatment phases, in addition to complications associated with previous procedures, the treatment of which remains controversial to date. With the advancement of dental ceramic and its manufacturing techniques, it was widely used to manufacture ultrathin ceramic veneers with minimal preparation. Issues such as fracture and abfraction are the most common in ceramic veneers made of feldspathic ceramic due to their weak mechanical properties against various forces, which led to the emergence of lithium disilicate glass-ceramic manufactured using the heat-press technique. This has resulted in ultrathin ceramic veneers with a thickness of up to 0.1-0.2 mm easily bonded and finished as they have high mechanical properties and esthetic qualities that mimic natural tooth color and shape. The current cohort study aimed to evaluate the success rates of this kind of treatment for patients treated at our department.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This observational cohort study's sample comprised 60 ultrathin ceramic veneers manufactured from lithium disilicate glass-ceramic bonded to nonprepared upper teeth. The clinical performance of the studied sample was evaluated and monitored at monthly intervals (one month, three months, six months, and one year) using the clinical success evaluation based on Walton's principles adopted for evaluating the success and failure of fixed restorations.

RESULTS

Ultrathin ceramic veneers made from lithium disilicate glass-ceramic, bonded to nonprepared teeth, proved to be a successful clinical and esthetic treatment option, with a clinical success rate of 100% during the entire follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

This study's findings indicate that ultrathin ceramic veneers made from lithium disilicate glass-ceramic, bonded to nonprepared teeth, are a successful clinical and esthetic treatment option, with a clinical success rate of 100% during the entire follow-up period.