Introduction: The marginal seal and adaptation are important factors for successful restoration. An inadequate marginal seal can lead to bacterial microleakage, plaque accumulation, and eventually treatment failure This in vitro study aimed to compare the marginal gap of endocrowns fabricated from three different computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) ceramic materials. Methods: Thirty extracted mandibular molars were selected for the study. Endocrown preparations were completed after root canal treatment. Teeth were divided into three groups to receive endocrowns fabricated of lithium disilicate ceramic (IPS-e.max CAD, Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein), zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate ceramic (VITA Suprinity®, VITA Zahnfabrik, Bad Säckingen, Germany), and polymer-infiltrated ceramic (VITA Enamic®, VITA Zahnfabrik). The digital impressions were transferred to the design software to construct the endocrowns. The endocrowns were milled and cemented. The marginal fit was examined using a digital camera stereomicroscope at a magnification of 80X. Images were transferred to Image-J software (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States) to measure the marginal gap. Results: One-way ANOVA showed a significant difference in the marginal gap between the different ceramic groups (P=0.006). Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference (HSD) post-hoc test showed that VITA Suprinity had significantly higher gap width values than VITA Enamic (P=0.005). No significant differences in gap width values were found between VITA Enamic and IPS e.max CAD or between VITA Suprinity and IPS e.max CAD (P>0.05). Conclusion: The marginal gap of endocrown restorations varies with different CAD/CAM materials (zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate glass-ceramic, polymer-infiltrated hybrid ceramic, and lithium disilicate glass-ceramic), but are all within clinically acceptable marginal gap width.

Aims and objectives: New techniques are being developed to invent zirconia with high translucency and better esthetics leading to the development of several brands of monolithic zirconia. The aim of this study is to compare the translucency of three brands of zirconia available for the fabrication of monolithic restorations. Materials and methods: An in vitro study was designed to compare the translucency of three brands of zirconia available for the fabrication of monolithic restorations: Zirlux Zirconia (Vivadent Ivoclar), Zenostar Zr Translucent Zirconia (Weiland), and BruxZir Zirconia (Glidewell). All specimens were prepared to 0.5 mm thickness. Thirty zirconia specimens from each material were finished and polished. After drying, specimens were fired according to the manufacturers' recommendations. A spectrophotometer (Color i5) was used for the translucency test. Each specimen was presented at the view port permitting the light to hit the center of the specimen. Results were saved into the software until all measurements were completed. The data were then transferred to an Excel sheet where translucency parameters were calculated. The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and the post hoc Bonferroni test were performed to analyze the results. Results: The one-way ANOVA test revealed that there was a statistically significant difference between the groups. This study showed lower translucency of BruxZir in comparison to Zenostar and Zirlux when tested under standardized conditions. Conclusion: There is a statistically significant difference in the translucency between the different brands of zirconia available for monolithic restoration fabrication. Clinical significance: Different brands of zirconia have different degrees of translucency. Material selection should be customized in each case.

Introduction Post and core restorations for endodontically treated teeth must meet certain prosthetic criteria to ensure the success of the final restoration. The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of posts performed by dental students at King Abdulaziz University Dental Hospital (KAUDH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, utilizing periapical radiographs and whether the prosthetic criteria were strictly met by students. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study included 661 digital periapical radiographs of posts performed by 6th-year dental students from September 2018 to April 2019. The assessment included the following factors: patient’s age, patient’s gender, tooth type, and arch. Post-related factors including post type, shape, diameter, length, and status of the remaining gutta percha were also evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics were generated, and the association between different variables was determined using chi-square test at p <0.05. Results Posts were used to restore maxillary teeth (67%), and were particularly placed in premolars (44%). The majority of used posts were prefabricated tapered fiber posts (90%). The results were as follows: post diameter equal to one-third of root diameter, 50% met criterion; post length equal to two-thirds of root length, 33%; post length equal to or more than crown height, 93%; absence of space between gutta percha (GP) and post, 74%; and length of the remaining GP equal to 3–5 mm, 68%. Overall, 11% of the posts met all the ideal prosthetics criteria. Conclusion Most qualities of post and core restorations that were radiographically assessed were found to be acceptable and within the recommended prosthodontic criteria.

Currently, the gold standard materials of choice for dental implants are the commercially pure titanium. However, these materials may have suboptimal anterior esthetic outcome due to the dark grayish burnout. To enhance the esthetic outcomes, zirconium dioxide materials, with reported long-term success in medical uses and with its tooth-like color, was introduced as a dental implants material. This case report describes the fully guided planning and placement of one-piece zirconia implant replacing missing central incisor. A 21-years-old male patient, non-smoker in excellent general health, presented with a missing tooth #21. Straumann PURE® (4.1x10 mm) Ceramic implant was placed. Three months post-surgery, the soft tissues architecture has been achieved and stabilized, healing was satisfactory around the zirconia implant and provisional restoration. The final layered zirconia crown was fabricated. Two-step cementation technique was used to minimize the excess cement during final delivery of the crown. After delivery of the final restoration, the patient was followed up after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.

Nowadays, media-influenced patients have the desire to “extremely rapidly” alter their teeth to “ideal” and “too bright” ones. Although some esthetically demanding cases need to be thoroughly planned and treated through prolonged phases, other cases can be handled quickly. In such cases, we can witness the impact of many computer software programs for digital smile design that have penetrated clinical practice. This clinical report describes a conventional and digital step-by-step treatment workflow for restoring anterior maxillary teeth with porcelain laminate veneers. Two digital smile design software (GPS and Nemo DSD 3D) were utilized and compared with the conventional workflow. Feldspathic veneers were chosen for their superior optical properties. Case complexity and operator’s experience played a significant role in the selection between the conventional and digital workflow. The advanced digital programs, while having many advantages, are not necessarily superior to the traditional technique. The digital smile design programs used in this case demonstrated an effective and predictable workflow. They can achieve comprehensive digital smile design with a satisfactory esthetic outcome, yet the conventional workflow gave conservative and esthetically pleasing results.