All-ceramic restorations in different indications: a case series.

BACKGROUND Encompassing a vast array of materials, today's all-ceramic systems are suitable for a large range of indications in almost all areas of fixed restorative dentistry. METHODS The authors describe five clinical cases involving different indications to illustrate the use of different ceramic materials and combinations of materials. They describe the collaboration between the dentist and dental technician for single-tooth restorations and for complex cases, including all stages of the restorative procedures from treatment planning with an analytic wax-up to the selection of appropriate materials, tooth preparation and cementation. RESULTS The patients described experienced significant functional and esthetic improvement, even those who had severely discolored teeth. This was possible because the authors executed the working steps in a strictly synchronized manner and selected the restorative materials carefully to meet the specific needs of each patient. CONCLUSIONS All-ceramic systems have expanded the range of restorative treatment options significantly; at the same time, their handling has been simplified substantially. The use of lithium disilicate glass-ceramic-and zirconium oxide-based frameworks along with an identical veneering ceramic enables the dental care professional to cover almost all indications in fixed prosthodontics while achieving the same esthetic results.