Clinical Outcome of Metal-Ceramic Crowns Fabricated with Laser-Sintering Technology

This study evaluated the clinical outcome of posterior single-unit metal-ceramic crowns fabricated using computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacture laser-sintering technology. Sixty restorations were placed in 39 patients and cemented with glass-ionomer cement. Follow-ups were performed annually. During a mean observation period of 47 months, one restoration was regarded a dropout, one crown failed (biologic failure), and one debonded. One abutment tooth had to be treated endodontically, and three teeth were treated because of caries. No further technical complications, eg, veneering ceramic chipping, occurred during the observation period. The results suggest that the clinical outcome of posterior single-unit metal-ceramic crowns fabricated using laser-sintering technology is promising.