Long-term Stability of Bisacrylic-composite Crowns Fabricated Chairside after 24-months

Objectives: The objective of this clinical trial was to assess long-term stability of complete crowns fabricated chairside from bisacrylic composite resin materials after 24 months in service.

Methods: Five patients in need of two single crowns were selected. After approval of the ethics committee and informed consent, diagnostic casts were fabricated and diagnostic waxing was prepared for the selected teeth. After caries removal, the selected teeth were built-up with a low-shrink composite resin (Filtek Silorane, 3MESPE).  Teeth that were endodontically treated received a fiber post (RelyX Fiber Post, 3MESPE) cemented with a self-adhesive resin cement (RelyX Unicem Clicker, 3MESPE) followed by core reconstruction. Both teeth for each patient were prepared for complete crowns and immediate complete crowns were fabricated with two bisacrylic composite resin materials (1) Protemp4 (3MESPE) and (2) Luxatemp Fluorescence (DMG). Crowns were cemented with self-adhesive cement (RelyX Unicem Clicker). Recalls were made at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Marginal fit was evaluated with bite-wing radiographs. Gingival health was evaluated with probing and bleeding indexes. Material properties were evaluated clinically and with photographic documentation. Finally, overall clinical handling and patient satisfaction were documented at each recall.

Results: There were no recorded failures after 24 months. Wear, loss of anatomy and loss of luster was observed in all Luxatemp crowns. Teeth restored with Protemp 4 presented with better gingival health. Overall patient satisfaction was very high.

Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that after 24 months the direct technique can be viable when using bisacrylic composite resin materials. Protemp 4 material performed better with regard to wear, maintenance of surface luster as well as maintenance of gingival health. (This study was partially supported by 3MESPE, Seefeld, Germany)