REVIEWS   

Minerva Stomatologica 2008 January-February;57(1-2):47-51

Copyright © 2007 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Failures in fabrication and treatment using ceramic crowns

K. Mehulić

Department of Prosthodontics School of Dental Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia

Dental ceramics is a constituent prosthodontic material with excellent aesthetic properties. It is stable, does not change shape, color or size, and is biotolerant. Treatment with ceramic restorations is a standard procedure in modern fixed prosthodontics. Because of its multiphase structure and the thermal processes it undergoes during the making of a fixed prosthodontic replacement, ceramics is highly sensitive to small failures in fabrication. These failures can develop into cracks that can ultimately cause fracture of restorations in use. This is why each phase of restoration in a dental practice and a dental laboratory requires professional skill. Selection of a definite ceramic system for a specific clinical case is more important than with other constituent materials. Patient selection, oral hygiene, masticatory force, as well as proper maintenance of instruments and devices for the fabrication of ceramic replacements are all important.