Clinical performance of lithium disilicate ceramic occlusal veneers for restoring cracked teeth: A 2- to 4-year prospective cohort study
摘要
To evaluate the 2-4-year clinical performance of lithium disilicate ceramic occlusal veneers for restoring vital cracked teeth and to explore factors associated with restoration failure.
Materials and methodsA prospective study was conducted on 60 cracked teeth from 51 patients. All restorations were evaluated according to the modified United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria: (a) marginal discoloration, (b) secondary caries, (c) restoration fracture, (d) adjacent contact point loosening, and (e) smoothness of adjacent areas. Risk factors were analyzed using χ² tests, Kaplan–Meier analysis, and univariate Cox proportional hazards regression.
ResultsThe restoration survival rate was 95% (57/60), and the restoration integrity rate was 85% (51/60). A total of 9 restorations met the broader failure definition used for exploratory risk-factor analysis, including 3 severe fractures requiring remaking and 6 marginal defects requiring repair. Among 60 occlusal veneers, none had severe discoloration or secondary caries. The worst scores for adjacent contact point loosening and surface smoothness were 5% (3/60) due to 3 restorations with severe fractures. Second molars showed a significantly higher risk of restoration failure compared with other teeth (χ2 test: p = 0.024; Cox model: p = 0.024; Kaplan-Meier: p < 0.01).
ConclusionsOcclusal veneers showed favorable medium-term restoration outcomes for restoring cracked teeth, with a high success rate observed over a 2-4-year follow-up period.
Clinical relevanceThis study aims to help clinicians optimize the treatment planning of cracked teeth and improve the long-term success of occlusal veneer restorations.