A 3 year clinical evaluation of injection-moulded glass-ceramic (IPS Empress) laminate veneers

Cast porcelain techniques, such as IPS^TM Empress (Ivoclar Williams, Amherst, NY) dental porcelain are fabricated by injection of ceramic under pressure and high temperature into a lost wax mold. The advantage of this new ceramic is its lack of metal or opaque ceramic core, moderate flexural strength, good fit, and excellent aesthetics. Objectives: This study is a retrospective in vivo evaluation of IPS^TM Empress, utilized in anterior laminate veneers, for at least three years of clinical performance. Methods: Fourteen subjects, 5 male and 9 female (age 20-45), were selected for this study. Clinical indications included anterior diastema closure, discoloration of teeth, discoloration of previous composite veneers or incisal fracture repair. 66 IPSTM Empress anterior veneers were inserted in this study, including 54 incisors and 14 canines. Teeth was prepared following the guidelines of "Laminates: The Ideal Tooth Preparation" (A. Jurim, March 1995, J of the New York State Academy of General Dentistry). The veneers were clinically tried in (26 IPS^TM Empress I and 40 IPS^TM Empress II), adjusted and then cemented in place utilizing Nexxus composite cement (Kerr, Orange, CA). All veneers were evaluated immediately after placement, at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months and rated utilizing an Alpha (100% acceptable), Bravo (minor defects not affecting restoration performance) and Charlie (defects requiring intervention or restoration replacement). for satisfaction esthetics, color match, marginal integrity and occlusion. Results: At 3 years, 87% of restorations were rated Alpha with no defects noted. 3% were rated with Bravo, and 10% were rated with Charlie and replaced because decay on the margin (1 veneer) and de-bonding of the cement (6 veneers). There was zero fractures found on IPS^TM Empress porcelain veneer. No differences were noted between Empress I and Empress II. Conclusions: IPS^TM Empress porcelain laminate veneers offer a predictable and successful result with excellent esthetics for anterior restoration.