Short-term results of IPS-Empress inlays and onlays.
OBJECTIVE
A leucite-reinforced, glass-ceramic material was recently introduced for clinical use. In this clinical trial, IPS-Empress inlays and onlays were evaluated using the modified United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria.


METHODS
The teeth of 36 patients were restored with 105 posterior inlays and 25 onlays, fabricated by an indirect technique. After etching the restorations with hydrofluoric acid, they were silanized and luted using composite cements. The restorations were evaluated visually, clinically with a mirror and probe, and by bitewing radiographs and clinical photographs, using modified USPHS criteria. Restorations having neither charlie nor delta criteria were defined as successful, and their survival rate was calculated according to Kaplan-Meier analysis.


RESULTS
The mean observation period for the 130 restorations was 23.4 +/- 6.1 months. After 2 years, 127 restorations were successful with an estimated survival rate of 97.5%. Three restorations failed because of fractures. The esthetic results were excellent.


CONCLUSIONS
The initial clinical results of this esthetic restorative material are encouraging. However, because of fatigue phenomena for all ceramic materials, a longer observation period is needed to provide a definitive prognosis of the long-term clinical behavior.
Studer
S
S
Department of Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics and Dental Materials, School of Dental Medicine, Zurich University, Switzerland.
Lehner
C
C
Brodbeck
U
U
Schärer
P
P
D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D018772:Dental Marginal Adaptation; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007284:Inlays; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016019:Survival Analysis
D000538:Aluminum Silicates; C075815:IPS-Empress ceramic; D003776:Dental Porcelain