Dentalcompare
Clinical Director
The last few years in dentistry have seen a remarkable surge in new dental materials. Products such as 3M ESPE's Lava Ultimate, or VITA's Enamic, have changed our perspective on what works in the mouth. Ivoclar Vivadent's e.Max material is no exception, and most will agree, it has completely revolutionized in-office CAD/CAM production. These materials have all the esthetic benefits of feldspathic porcelains, with none of the inherent weaknesses.
A study published this month in the International Journal of Prosthodontics demonstrated this beautifully. Researchers placed 35 single tooth Maryland type bridges, consisting of the cantilevered pontic and a veneer on the adjacent tooth for retention. After a mean observation time of almost four years, they did not have a single failure. There was no chipping, recurrent decay, or fracture of any connectors. Nothing.
The success of the restorations potentially has to do with the design itself. I am hearing more and more from colleagues about the success of Maryland bridges that only bond to one, not two teeth. The theory is that it reduces stress by not straddling across the arch too far, thereby reducing the stress on the bonded veneer portion.
Whatever the reason, this could not have been done with fiber and composite. Considering some of the materials we had a chance to preview at the 2013 Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting, and considering the success of e.Max, the next few years should provide some exciting additions to the restorative options available for your patients and your practice.