Clinical performance of resin-matrix ceramic partial coverage restorations: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical performance of the new CAD/CAM resin-matrix ceramics and compare it with ceramic partial coverage restorations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An electronic search of 3 databases (The National Library of Medicine (MEDLINE/PubMed), Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) was conducted. English clinical studies published between 2005 and September 2020 that evaluated the clinical performance of CAD/CAM resin-matrix ceramics inlays, onlays, or overlays were selected. The primary clinical question was applied according to PICOS strategy (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Study design). The included studies were individually evaluated for risk of bias according to the modified Cochrane Collaboration tool criteria. RESULTS: A total of 7 studies were included according to the established inclusion and exclusion criteria. From the included studies, 6 were randomized clinical trials while one study was longitudinal observational study without control group. According to the results of the included studies, the success rate of CAD/CAM resin-based composite ranged from 85.7 to 100% whereas the success rate reported for ceramic partial coverage restorations ranged from 93.3 to 100%. Fractures and debondings are found to be the most common cause of restorations failure. CONCLUSION: CAD/CAM resin-based composite can be considered a reliable material for partial coverage restorations with clinical performance similar to glass ceramic restorations. However, this result needs to be confirmed in long-term evaluations. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: CAD/CAM resin-based composites provide a potential alternative to ceramic indirect restorations. However, clinicians must be aware of the lake of knowledge regarding long-term outcome.