Raul Nicolae Rotar

Modern prosthetic dentistry has been significantly reshaped by adhesive dentistry, CAD/CAM technologies, and advanced ceramic materials, leading to the development of minimally invasive all-ceramic restorative approaches. However, the longevity of the adhesive interface is fundamental to the long-term effectiveness of these restorations. With a focus on bond durability and clinical performance, this narrative review aims to evaluate modern adhesive strategies, tooth preparation requirements, and cementation techniques in all-ceramic minimally invasive restorations. Methods: A narrative review of the literature was performed using Google Scholar, Web of Science, and PubMed/MEDLINE databases. Publications from 2000 to 2026 were analysed. In vitro research, narrative reviews, and systematic reviews related to adhesive systems, resin cements, CAD/CAM materials, and minimally invasive prosthodontic principles were the core subjects of the research. Results: The findings indicate that material selection, surface conditioning techniques, and cementation methods have a significant impact on the clinical effectiveness of all-ceramic restorations. Retention and marginal sealing are greatly enhanced by resin-based adhesive systems. Nevertheless, hydrolytic degradation, procedure sensitivity, and substrate-related factors remain a challenge to the adhesive interface. Advances in CAD/CAM and ultra-conservative designs, like occlusal veneers and partial-coverage restorations, have increased treatment alternatives while ensuring acceptable functional and aesthetic results. Conclusions: Minimally invasive all-ceramic restorations represent a conservative and clinically effective treatment approach in modern prosthodontics. Their long-term performance is primarily dependent on adhesive interface stability and adherence to evidence-based clinical protocols. Continued developments in adhesive materials and ceramic systems are expected to improve bond durability and broaden clinical indications.

Background/Objectives: Tooth discoloration can influence the esthetic outcome of restorative treatments. Recently, 3D-printed ceramic-filled hybrid materials have been introduced for dental restorations using digital workflows. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of 3D-printed ceramic-filled hybrid veneers on the final color of discolored teeth using spectrophotometric measurements. Methods: Twenty-five extracted human anterior teeth without caries or restorations were prepared for veneer restorations using standardized reduction protocols. Artificial discoloration was induced by applying light-cured color coatings to the buccal surfaces of the specimens. The prepared teeth were digitally scanned, and veneers with a thickness of 1 mm were designed and fabricated using a 3D printing system and a ceramic-filled hybrid material. Color measurements were performed with a spectrophotometer and recorded in the Commission Internationale de l’Éclairage L*a*b* (CIELAB) color system. Measurements were obtained at four stages: after creation of discoloration, after two weeks of immersion in physiological saline solution, after veneer placement using neutral try-in gel, and after two months of immersion following veneer placement. Color differences were calculated using three color difference formulas (ΔE*ab, ΔE94, and ΔE00). Results: The placement of the 3D-printed veneers produced substantial modifications in the optical characteristics of the discolored substrates, reflected by reduced chroma values and significant color differences between the baseline and veneer stages. After two months of immersion, only minor variations in color coordinates were observed. The calculated color differences between the veneer stage and the post-immersion stage remained low across all evaluated color difference formulas, indicating good short-term color stability of the veneered specimens. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this pilot in vitro study, 3D-printed ceramic-filled hybrid veneers demonstrated the ability to effectively modify the color of discolored substrates while maintaining relatively stable optical properties after two months of immersion. These restorations may represent a promising and cost-effective option for the esthetic management of discolored teeth.

Caries control is essential for the long-term success of dental restorations, and the frequent use of mouthwashes may influence the esthetic properties of restorative materials. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of several commercially available mouthwashes on the color stability of resin-based CAD/CAM restorative materials. Three CAD/CAM materials were investigated: a hybrid ceramic (Cerasmart), a polymer-infiltrated ceramic (Vita Enamic), and a reinforced composite (Brilliant Crios). Rectangular specimens were immersed in Eludril Classic, Listerine Total Care, Listerine Advanced White, and distilled water (control). Color measurements were performed at baseline and after immersion periods up to 24 h using a digital spectrophotometer, and color differences (ΔE₀₀) were calculated. Statistical analysis revealed that both mouthwash type and immersion time had a statistically significant effect on color change (p ≤ 0.05). All tested materials exhibited ΔE₀₀ values exceeding the clinically acceptable threshold. These findings suggest that prolonged mouthwash use may compromise the esthetic longevity of resin-based CAD/CAM restorations. The null hypothesis was that prolonged use of mouthwash does not influence the color of resin-based CAD/CAM materials especially for those containing alcohol.

All-ceramic restorations are the foundation of modern restorative aesthetic dentistry. The industry for dental materials now provides a large selection of biomaterials with a range of constantly improving qualities. Although this is undoubtedly advantageous, the vast array of materials may confuse even experienced dentists. Even if recently the demand of digital dentistry in daily dental practice has significantly increased, due to a lack of understanding concerning cementation techniques, which are different for each type of ceramic used, dentists are continuing to be hesitant to utilise these various CAD/CAM materials. This study analysed 58 articles from 2008 to 2025, focusing on narrative, comprehensive, and systematic reviews and in vitro studies on dental dentistry materials. English articles were included, but non-English articles and case reports were excluded. The analysis included articles from all journal categories, ensuring adherence to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The aim of the research is to assess material classifications and properties that guide practices concerning the adhesive cementation of all-ceramic restorations. In order to provide a clear overview of the composition, characteristics, clinical considerations, and current trends of contemporary dental materials, as well as some recommendations for future research in this area that would be relevant to dentists and the scientific community, the authors of the paper were guided by this structure when writing the article content. The key is to ensure the aesthetics, resistance, and long-term clinical success of the treatment plan by providing dental professionals with clear, accurate information and instructions about resin-luting materials and indirect restoration materials.

Dentistry is steadily evolving along the digital pathway at a constant and sure pace. Intraoral scanners (IOSs) started to enhance the precision and trueness of the restorations, making prosthodontics treatment more predictable. The objective of this study was to compare the trueness and internal fit of the printed provisional veneers for 60 preparations with three different types of finish lines. The abutments were scanned with the same intraoral scanner, and the resulting meshes were overlapped and analyzed in metrology software. The comparison was executed using two methods: (1) CAD (computer-aided design) designs vs. scanned veneers and (2) inverted surfaces of the preparations vs. scanned veneers. The butt joint preparation had the best trueness out of the three groups of preparation during both comparison methods, although there was no statistically significant difference between the butt joint and feather edge groups in the CAD design vs. scanned veneers analysis. Also, there was no statistically significant difference between palatal chamfer and feather edge groups in the scanned veneers vs. inverted surfaces of the preparations analysis.

Aim of the study: The latest CAD/CAM technologies allow provisional restorations to be produced by milling or 3D printing methods. The two methods differ in terms of cost, speed and working protocol. An important factor of a successful provisional restoration is the fidelity of the intaglio surface and its adaptation to the preparation surface. How faithful is the adaptation of these temporary restorations to the preparation surface and are there differences between the manufacturing methods in terms of intaglio surface trueness? Materials and Methods: A preparation for occlusal veneer was performed on an upper molar of a typodont. The preparation was scanned with an intraoral scanner (Medit i700) and the table-top restauration was designed using a CAD software. Based on the CAD design, 45 restorations were produced using the two technologies: 15 milled restorations from Telio CAD (Ivoclar), 15 milled restorations from Brilliant Crios (Coltene), and 15 3D printed restorations (GC Temp Print resin). The intaglio surfaces of the milled and printed restorations were scanned using the same intraoral scanner. In order to assess the intaglio surface trueness, each scan was superimposed and compared to the original CAD design file of the restauration with the help of a metrology grade, quality control software. Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the analysed groups of values. The printed restoration group showed slightly higher deviation values than the milled ones, the Telio CAD group with an average of 37 microns and the Brilliant Crios group with an average of 36 microns. Conclusions: The milled occlusal veneers showed slightly better results of the intaglio surface trueness while both milled and printed restorations showed trueness values within the accepted limit, indicating a clinically acceptable fit.

Introduction. Provisional dental prostheses are used as interim restorations to help patients perform oral functions between the time of tooth preparation and the placement of the final restoration. A provisional dental prosthesis should protect the abutment from pulpal and gingival aggressions, adapt correctly to keep healthy gingival tissues, be durable, and have a low price. The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the marginal adaptation of different types of provisional fixed dental prostheses (PFDP), fabricated using 3D printing technology versus the milling (computer-aided manufacturing [CAM]) technique. Method. Two resin teeth (second premolar and second molar) on a typodont were prepared for three-unit provisional fixed dental prostheses. Thirty models were 3D-printed after a digital model was created using an intraoral scanner. Then, 30 provisional fixed dental prostheses (PFDPs) were made from a variety of materials using a digital design of a 3-unit PFDP and STL files delivered to a milling machine and a 3D printer, respectively. Ten PFDP were milled (CAM), and two sets of ten each, were fabricated with 3D printing technology (stereolithography), using two different materials. All restorations were analyzed under a microscope, and marginal gap was then measured using the software Image J. Results. The milled group presented the best marginal gap values (ranging from 86 to 108 μm) and a median value of 93 μm, followed by GC group with (110-251 μm) with a median value of 205 μm and the PR group with median value of 316.5 μm. Conclusion. According to the findings of this in vitro study, the milling (CAM) technique and SLA technology provides acceptable marginal fit values to fabricate provisional fixed partial dentures.

Several factors have been identified to have an influence over the accuracy of a digital impression: ambient lighting conditions, the presence of liquid on the intraoral structures, and the scanning patterns. The purpose of this study was to identify which protocol produced the most accurate digital impression regarding a one-preparation scenario in which data were acquired from a single uninterrupted scan, a rescanning of the area of interest in order to obtain more data, or the deletion of the area of interest followed by a rescan. An in vitro scenario using a typodont involving a single full-crown restoration was conceived alongside the selection of an in vivo case of a patient presenting an unrestored right mandibular first molar. The STL (standard tessellation language) reference models for each group were obtained using a high-resolution scanner (Freedom, HD; DOS). With the use of a Medit I700 (Medit, Seoul, South Korea) intraoral scanner, three different scanning protocols were conducted on the typodont and on the clinical case. The measured data (IOS scans) were sorted and further analyzed with the help of Geomagic Control X (Version:16.0.2.16496, 3D Systems, Wilsonville, OR, USA). The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test for normality was conducted on the whole set of data. The nonparametric data set underwent Kruskal–Wallis test analysis while the parametric data set underwent a one-way ANOVA test (the level of significance was set to α = 0.05). For the in vitro case, the “SINGLESCAN” group displayed the best trueness; the “DELETE&RESCAN” group displayed the best precision. Regarding the in vivo case, the “SINGLESCAN” group also displayed the best trueness; the “RESCAN” group displayed the best precision. Statistical differences were found in the trueness and precision of the IOS scans captured with the three different scanning protocols, but the differences were so small that they could be considered clinically negligible.

Intraoral scanners (IOS) have reached a point where their impact in the dental office cannot be denied. The distance between the tip of the IOS and the preparation may have implications on the accuracy of the digital model. The objective of this study was to evaluate the differences in accuracy between digital impressions in the scenario of different scanning distances. Twenty consecutive scans were performed at five predetermined distances: 5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm and 23 mm by a single operator. The scanning distance of 10 mm displayed the best accuracy with an overall trueness value of 23.05 μm and precision value of 4.2 μm. The drawn conclusion was that increased scanning distances can decrease the accuracy of a digital impression.