Clinical performance of chairside CAD/CAM restorations.
BACKGROUND
The CEREC system (Sirona Dental Systems GmbH, Bensheim, Germany) is marking its 20th year of clinical service. The author reviews the literature on the effectiveness of this chairside CAD/CAM system.


METHODS
The author identified and reviewed clinical studies from 1985 through 2006 that included CEREC-generated inlays, onlays or crowns. These studies were conducted in both private practice and university settings. The author summarized the findings as they relate to postoperative sensitivity, restoration fracture, color match, margin adaptation and clinical longevity.


RESULTS
Although postoperative sensitivity was reported, it was due to mainly occlusal interferences. Long-term postoperative sensitivity was not a reported problem. Similar to other ceramic restorations, restoration fracture is the primary mode of failure for CEREC-generated restorations. Although margin wear is detected consistently, consequences of the wear leading to restoration failure were reported rarely. The survival probability of CEREC-generated restorations was reported to be approximately 97 percent for five years and 90 percent for 10 years.


CONCLUSIONS
The low rate of restoration fracture and long-term clinical survivability document the effectiveness of the CEREC system as a dependable, esthetic restorative option for patients.
Fasbinder
Dennis J
DJ
University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1078, USA. djfas@umich.edu
D002516:Ceramics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D018772:Dental Marginal Adaptation; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans
C074543:Cerec