title: Clinical performance of a new biomimetic double network material.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The development of ceramics during the last years was overwhelming. However, the focus was laid on the hardness and the strength of the restorative materials, resulting in high antagonistic tooth wear. This is critical for patients with bruxism.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical performance of the new double hybrid material for non-invasive treatment approaches.
  
  
  METHODS
  The new approach of the material tested, was to modify ceramics to create a biomimetic material that has similar physical properties like dentin and enamel and is still as strong as conventional ceramics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The produced crowns had a thickness ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 mm. To evaluate the clinical performance and durability of the crowns, the patient was examined half a year later. The crowns were still intact and soft tissues appeared healthy and this was achieved without any loss of tooth structure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The material can be milled to thin layers, but is still strong enough to prevent cracks which are stopped by the interpenetrating polymer within the network. Depending on the clinical situation, minimally- up to non-invasive restorations can be milled.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dentistry aims in preservation of tooth structure. Patients suffering from loss of tooth structure (dental erosion, Amelogenesis imperfecta) or even young patients could benefit from minimally-invasive crowns. Due to a Vickers hardness between dentin and enamel, antagonistic tooth wear is very low. This might be interesting for treating patients with bruxism.
authors.affiliation: Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Operative and Preventive Dentistry, Assmannshauser Straße 4-6, 14197 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dirxen
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Blunck
authors.forename: Saskia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Preissner
keywords: CAD/CAM; Enamic; bruxism.; dental erosion; double network hybrid material; non-invasive treatment