Survival of Ceramic Computer-aided Design/Manufacturing Crowns Bonded to Preparations with Reduced Macroretention Geometry

Purpose: Adhesive cementation reduces the need for macroretentive preparation for crowns. This study investigated the survival and clinical rating of monolithic computer-aided design/manufacturing (CAD/CAM) ceramic crowns bonded to preparations with reduced macroretention, hypothesizing that adhesion would compensate for reduced retention geometry. Materials and Methods: Two-hundred eight posterior CAD/CAM-generated crowns from feldspar block ceramic were adhesively bonded in 136 patients in three preparation groups: classic (100% stump height, n = 70); reduced (reduced stump height or irregular stump, n = 52); and endo (absent stump but pulp chamber retention cavity, n = 86). Crowns were examined at baseline and after 55 ± 15 months using modified USPHS criteria. Plaque and bleeding of gingiva around the crowns were assessed. Results: Cumulative Kaplan-Meier survival of crowns on premolars/molars was: classic = 97.0%/94.6%; reduced = 92.9%/92.1%; and endo = 68.8%/87.1%, confirming the hypothesis for classic, reduced, and endo molars as well as for classic and reduced premolars. A significant difference was found between classic and endo premolar crowns, rejecting the hypothesis for endo preparation on premolars. Plaque and bleeding indices were significantly lower for crowned teeth than for controls. Conclusion: The survival of classic and reduced crowns was rated adequate for premolars and molars. Endo preparation appeared acceptable for molar crowns but inadequate for premolar crowns.