Clinical acceptability of metal-ceramic fixed partial dentures fabricated with laser sintering technique: An up to 7- year retrospective clinical study

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the clinical success of laser sintered metal-ceramic restorations throughout several time periods, including the short, medium, and long term. Materials and methods Participants who had 3-unit metal-ceramic fixed partial dentures fabricated by laser sintering in the mandibular posterior region between 2014 and 2021 were evaluated. The FDI criteria were used to evaluate the esthetic, functional, and biological clinical acceptability of the patients who met the inclusion criteria. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed for all data. IBM SPSS 25 computer software was used to perform statistics. Results A total of 52 patients (21 male, 31 female) were examined retrospectively on their 1, 3, 5, and 7-year period and the overall survival rate was recorded as %92.3. The fracture category yielded a total score of 1.29, and the marginal adaptation category yielded a total score of 1.59. On average, it was determined that all parameters were within clinically acceptable values. Conclusions Based on the results, clinical outcomes of posterior metal-ceramic FPDs made with CAD/CAM based laser-sintering technology were very encouraging, suggesting that this unique technique could be used in place of the conventional lost wax technique. Clinical relevance The use of this digital framework production method has yielded favorable outcomes by minimizing the drawbacks associated with conventional methods. Consequently, it facilitates a decrease in operational time, stages, and costs. Trial Registration Clinical Trials Registration Number: NCT06242639