Clinical research on restorations using CAD/CAM-fabricated monolithic zirconia endocrowns and post and core crowns after up to 5 years

Objective: To assess the clinical status of monolithic zirconia CAD/CAM endocrowns and crowns on post and core buildups in endodontically treated molars after 5 years of clinical service.
Materials and methods: A total of 670 patients who received restorations for excessive defects at Ansteel Group Hospital from 2012 to 2015 were selected and randomly divided into two groups: 334 patients in the endocrown group and 336 in the post and core crown group. All the treatments were performed using a digital CAD/CAM system. The prostheses restorations at 1, 3, and 5 years after treatment were evaluated using the USPHS (United States Public Health Service) criteria and satisfaction questionnaire. In addition, the time cost of tooth preparation was recorded by the clinicians.
Results: Most of the patients in both groups reported grade A at the after-treatment follow-ups. Gingival health, food impaction, marginal accuracy, and general satisfaction at 3 and 5 years after treatment in the endocrown group rated higher (P < 0.05) than in the post and core crown group. There was no statistical difference in other indicators between the two groups at all observational after-treatment timepoints (P > 0.05). The time cost of tooth preparation in the post and core crown group was significantly higher than that in the endocrown group.
Conclusion: A CAD/CAM scanning system combined with a monolithic zirconia endocrown restoration was rated very positively by the participants. Endocrown restorations are a significantly superior choice compared with post and core crowns in clinical application. (Int J Comput Dent 2022;25(3):287–294; doi: 10.3290/j.ijcd.b2599661)