Monolithic lithium disilicate complete single crowns with feather-edge preparation design in the posterior region: A multicentric retrospective study up to 12 years

Objective: This retrospective study evaluated the clinical success and survival of monolithic lithium disilicate single crowns in the posterior region fabricated with feather-edge margins and cemented with resin-based self-etching cement. Method and Materials: In total, 627 pressed monolithic lithium disilicate restorations on posterior teeth (110 first premolars, 151 second premolars, 240 first molars, 121 second molars, 5 third molars) were placed in 335 patients. All teeth were prepared with feather-edge margins and restored with single crowns. The modified California Dental Association criteria were used to clinically evaluate subjects during regular maintenance recalls. Results: The mean follow-up time was 48.17 months (SD, 27.7; range, 6 to 144). Nine crowns were replaced during the follow-up period due to bulk fracture of the material (overall 97.93% survival rate), and four teeth were extracted. No other technical or biologic failure was observed. Conclusion: In this retrospective evaluation, monolithic lithium disilicate crowns with feather-edge margins yielded clinical outcomes similar to those reported with other margin designs and materials. Following the same clinical protocol, crowns on second molars showed lower survival rates when compared to restorations on other teeth in the posterior region. Careful evaluation is mandatory in high-risk patients and terminal teeth. Alternative restorative materials, such as full-contour zirconia crowns, should be considered for the restoration of second molars. Keywords: feather-edge, knife-edge, lithium disilicate, minimally invasive preparations, posterior single crowns