fullceramic

Full ceramic restorations are dental prosthetics made entirely from ceramic materials, with no metal substructure. They include crowns, veneers, inlays and onlays, and, in some cases, implant-supported restorations, chosen for esthetics and biocompatibility.

Common ceramic materials are zirconia, lithium disilicate (e.g., IPS e.max), and alumina. Zirconia offers high strength and fracture resistance; lithium disilicate provides good translucency and esthetics; alumina is an older option with moderate strength. Ceramics can be milled using CAD/CAM systems or produced by pressing and then sintered.

Most full ceramics are bonded to tooth structure with adhesive resin cements to enhance retention and seal marginal gaps. Some cores may be cemented with conventional luting cements, depending on design and the clinician’s preference.

Advantages include superior esthetics due to natural translucency, biocompatibility with gum tissue, and absence of metal margins that can cause grayish discolouration. They also exhibit good wear resistance and low plaque accumulation when properly finished.

Limitations involve brittleness under heavy or off-axis loads, particularly in posterior regions or in bruxism patients. Fracture risk depends on material, design, tooth preparation, and occlusion. Less translucent or thicker restorations may compromise esthetics compared with veneers or glass-ceramics.

Indications include crowns and inlays/onlays in the anterior or posterior dentition where esthetics are important, as well as situations requiring metal-free restorations or precise shade matching. Contraindications include insufficient remaining tooth structure, deep bites with high occlusal stress, or poor bonding conditions.

Long-term survival varies by material and technique, with 5–10 year outcomes reported in numerous studies, and ongoing evaluation recommended.