Five-year follow-up of InCeram laminate restorations:: A clinical report

Ceramics used for fabricating laminate restorations have lower flexural strength in comparison to InCeram ceramics.15 This may explain incisal chipping of such restorations. Thus, the use of stronger materials are indicated to withstand the flexural effects of intraoral forces.7,8,16 Another significant reason for failure is attributed to errant contacts of the anterior teeth. In a 3-year clinical evaluation of porcelain laminates with and without incisal overlap in which a feldspathic porcelain containing 15% aluminum oxide was used, Nordbo et al2 found that incisal overlapping may increase incisal chipping. Although only the laminate restorations were contacting opposing teeth in protrusion of the mandible, failure of the restorations did not occur. This clinical result may be related to the high aluminum content of InCeram restorations. In the case described here, it was imperative to fabricate provisional restorations for the patient to evaluate the esthetic results and the effect of lengthened restorations on articulating dentolabial sounds. While fabricating the InCeram laminates, a working cast obtained from an irreversible hydrocolloid impression made over the "adjusted" provisional restorations was helpful to the technician as a guide to determining the final shape and dimensions. The conventional technique that is followed for full veneer restorations was not altered to fabricate InCeram laminates. The laminates were able to mask the incisal discolorations. Wear on opposing dentition was not detected after 5 years of clinic service. However, the use of the material is restricted because of its increased thickness in comparison to other porcelain systems used to fabricate laminate restorations.