Bonding Lithium Disilicate Ceramic to Feather-Edge Tooth Preparations: A Minimally Invasive Treatment Concept

Purpose: To report the short-term clinical outcome of a new minimally invasive prosthetic approach utilizing monolithic lithium-disilicate full crowns bonded to feather-edge tooth preparations. Materials and Methods: 235 teeth, 136 anterior and 99 posterior, requiring a full crown were prepared with a feather-edge finish line providing a minimum space on the vertical walls of 0.3 mm at the margin, 0.5 mm along the axial walls, and an occlusal space of 1 to 1.5 mm to ensure sufficient resistance of the restoration. The dental technician manufactured the monolithic restorations using either CAD-CAM or pressed technology. The restorations were individualized with a staining technique to obtain the necessary esthetic characterization and bonded to the natural abutments using an adhesive cementation procedure. Results: Out of 235 treated elements, only one monolithic restoration in a molar position fractured after 3 years of service. No biological or technical complications were observed. The final esthetic result was optimal. Conclusion: This procedure can be considered a further option for the conservative restorative treatment of single elements where a full crown is required. Schlagwörter: lithium disilicate, monolithic, feather edge, minimally invasive, all-ceramic, adhesion, full crown, preparation design