Sound Clinical Protocol for Bonding Ceramic Restorations

Ceramic materials have gained clinical preference, in part, because of their esthetic properties and reduced laboratory costs. However, perhaps the greatest clinical benefit of ceramic materials is that they are conducive to practicing more conservative dentistry. High-strength ceramics such as zirconia enable clinicians to prepare less tooth reduction. Conservation of tooth structure may be further achieved if the clinician chooses to bond the ceramic restoration. This article reviews sound clinical protocol for bonding ceramic restorations, including when to bond, steps for bonding zirconia and glass-based crowns, techniques for cleaning ceramics prior to bonding and the rationale for choosing different resin cements.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Discuss the clinical benefits of ceramic restorative materials.
   
• Explain how bonding ceramic restorations can enhance tooth structure conservation.
   
• Describe differences between glass-based ceramic restorations and zirconia restorations.
   
• ​Discuss attributions of resin cements used for bonding ceramic crowns.

About the Author

Nathaniel C. Lawson, DMD, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical and Community Sciences, Division of Biomaterials, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry, Birmingham, Alabama