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Glass-Ceramic Inlays and Onlays made by IPS Empress:
First Clinical Results

S.Studer, C.Lehner and P.Scharer
(Department of Fixed & Removable Prosthodontics & Dental Materials, University of Zurich, Switzerland)

Published in the Journal of Dental Research, Vol. 71, 658, 1992

Abstract
Introduction
Material & Methods
Results
Conclusions


Abstract

IPS Empress (Ivoclar), a leucite-reinforced glass-ceramic material was recently introduced for clinical use.

In this clinical trial, 130 posterior indirect, lab-made inlays and onlays were tested using IPS Empress material. This included 107 inlays and 23 onlays in 35 randomly selected patients. The mean observation was 18+-6 months. After etching the restorations with hydrofluoric acid, they were silanized and luted using dual cure composite cements (Dual Cements, Vivadent and Porcelite, Kerr). The restorations were first evaluated with mirror, probe and bite wings and later re-evaluated from clinical photographs, both times using modified USPHS criteria.

Alfa Bravo Charlie Delta
Marginal Adaptation: no or invisible catches visible catches but no exposed dentin visible catches with exposed dentin fractures or caries
Anatomic Form: correct incorrect defective n/a
Surface Texture: smooth dull rough, pitted n/a
Colour Match: excellent minimal mismatch sever mismatch n/a

The summarized results of the 130 inlays and onlays evaluated were as follows:

Alfa Bravo Charlie Delta
Marginal Adaptation: 113 14 0 3
Anatomic Form: 126 2 2 n/a
Surface Texture: 124 6 0 n/a
Colour Match: 121 9 0 n/a

127 restorations recorded as having neither Charlie nor Delta criteria were defined as successful. Survival rate, calculated by the Kaplan-Meier analysis, was 98% after 2 years in service. Initial clinical results of this esthetic restorative material are excellent.


Introduction

IPS Empress (Ivoclar, SChaan, FL), a leucite-reinforced, press-type glass-ceramic material was recently introduced for clinical use. This all-ceramic system is used either for full porcelain crowns, ceramic veneers, inlays or onlays. The aim of this clinical trial was to evaluate the clinical status of these posterior indirect, lab-made IPS Empress inlays and onlays using modified USPHS criteria and to calculated the survival rate according to the Kaplan-Meier analysis.


Material & Methods

  • 35 randomly selected patients were treated with 130 indirect, lab-made inlays and onlays made by IPS Empress. This included 107 inlays (28 1-surface inlays, 37 2-surface inlays, 42 3-surface inlays) and 23 onlays with a mean observation period of 18 +- 6 months.
  • Cementation procedure:
    1. etching the restorations with hydrofluoric acid,
    2. silanization,
    3. luting with dual cure composite cements (Dual Cements, Vivadent, FL and Porcelite), Kerr, USA).
  • Evaluation procedures:
    1. Evaluating the restorations with mirror, probe and bite wings using modified USPHS criteria
    2. Re-evaluating the restorations from clinical photographs, again using modified USPHS criteria
  • Criteria for success:

      Restorations having neither Charlie nor Delta criteria were defined as successful and qualified as "survived". The survival rate was calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier analysis using criteria for success as defined before.


Results

Evaluation of 130 restorations using modified USPHS criteria:

Total 130 (100%) Alfa Bravo Charlie Delta
Marginal Adaptation: 113 (87.0%) 14(11.0%) 0 3 (2.0%)
Anatomic Form: 126 (97.0%) 2 (1.5%) 2 (1.5%) n/a
Surface Texture: 124 (95.5%) 6 (5.0%) 0 n/a
Colour Match: 121 (93.0%) 9 (7.0%) 0 n/a

Analysis of the 3 failures (Charlie and Delta ratings):

failure location rating months in service
1. 3-surface inlay/premolar fracture & defective anatomic form 17
2. onlay/molar fracture & defective anatomic form 15
3. 2-surface inlay/premolar caries lesion & partial fracture 17

Conclusions:

  • Survival rate of 98% after 2 years in service is excellent compared with other ceramic-inlay studies
    (Christensen et al, 1991).
  • 3 out of 130 restorations failed, having either Charlie or Delta criteria
  • Mean observation period of 18+-6 months is too short to give a prognosis about the future behaviour of ceramic materials because of their fatigue phenomena.
  • IPS Empress inlays/onlays show superior esthetics. Cost per unit is higher when compared to cast gold equivalents.

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