Clinical performance and patient satisfaction obtained with tooth-supported ceramic crowns and fixed partial dentures

Statement of problem. Studies reporting survival rates along with patient-centered outcomes are necessary to select the appropriate restorative material for crowns and fixed partial dentures (FPDs). However, studies that report the survival and complication rates of lithium disilicate crowns and the performance of zirconia FPDs compared with metal-ceramic FPDs are lacking. Purpose. The purpose of this clinical study was to assess the failure and complication incidence of tooth-supported ceramic crowns and FPDs in function for at least 5 years. Groups included were pressed lithium disilicate crowns (CP), veneered pressed lithium disilicate crowns (CV), and computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) lithium disilicate crowns (CC). Veneered zirconia-based FPDs (FPDC) were compared with metal-ceramic FPDs (FPDM). Outcomes were survival and failure, success and complications, periodontal conditions, and patient satisfaction assessed at 2 examinations (at baseline >= 1 year after delivery and at the follow-up examination >= 5 years of function). Material and methods. Eighty-two participants with 158 restorations (CP=39, CV=16, CC=20, FPDM=30, FPDC=53) were examined (2.38 +/- 0.96 years after delivery) to form the baseline data. For the prospective follow-up examination, 70 participants with 141 restorations (CP=39, CV=15, CC=16, FPDM=28, FPDC=43) were examined 4.08 +/- 0.36 years later. Results. At the follow-up, restorations were in function for a mean of 6.44 +/- 1.14 years. Survival rates for crowns were 97.1% (CP=97.4%, CV=100%, and CC=93.8%) and 98.6% for FPDs (FPDM=96.4%, FPDC=100%). Among the 68 crowns, 1 technical and 4 biological complications were recorded. FPDs had more biological and technical complications than crowns (15/149 abutment teeth and 11/71 restorations). Technical complications were seen in 9.3% of zirconia FPDs compared with 25% for metal-ceramic FPDs. Complications were commonly observed at the baseline examination (crowns: 12/75 biological and 1/75 technical; FPDs: 40/174 abutment teeth with biological and 8/83 FPDs with technical complications). The periodontal conditions improved significantly after baseline. The patients reported a high level of satisfaction with the esthetics and function of the crowns and FPDs. Conclusions. Survival rate for ceramic crowns and FPDs was 97.9% after a mean observation time of 6.44 +/- 1.14 years. Biological complications were more commonly observed than technical complications, and complications were more common in FPDs than in crowns. The complication rate was similar for zirconia FPDs and metal-ceramic FPDs. Adherence to strict maintenance measures may have reduced the risk of biological complications.