A Meta-Analysis of the Most Indicated Preparation Design for Porcelain Laminate Veneers

Purpose: To evaluate the fracture strength of three different types of tooth preparation design for ceramic veneers and determine whether there is any correlation between the preparation performed and the type of failure observed, by means of a meta-analysis of published in vitro studies. Materials and Methods: Three databases were consulted to select the studies, considering previously established inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data extracted were submitted to statistical analysis by means of the software Review Manager 5.1, using the random effect statistical model with a confidence interval of 95%. Results: The results showed a decrease in mean dental fracture strength of 76.53 N in teeth with feathered incisal edge preparations, and 102.82 N for those with palatal chamfers when compared with nonprepared teeth, whereas the preparation with a butt joint showed no significant difference compared to nonprepared teeth (p = 0.37). Ceramic fractures occurred more frequently in the chamfer type than feathered incisal edge design. Conclusion: The butt joint is the type of preparation that least affects the strength of the tooth and the chamfer preparation type is more susceptible to ceramic fractures. Keywords: meta-analysis, dental veneers, tooth preparation, dental porcelain, dental esthetics, porcelain laminate veneer, survival rate