Implant-supported crown reconstruction of hybrid ceramic VITA ENAMIC multiColor

A 53-year-old female patient came to the dental office because of bite problems. Radiologically and clinically, a root fracture was diagnosed on endodontically treated tooth 26. The tooth was then extracted in a bone-preserving manner. Since the patient rejected a removable denture and an invasive bridge preparation on teeth 25 and 27, it was decided to close the gap with an implanted restoration. An earlier periodontitis was treated in the patient, and the treatment result was stabilized with a close prophylaxis. In region 26, the jawbone was atrophied, which is why the VITA ENAMIC multiColor polychrome hybrid ceramic blank in EMC-16 geometry was selected for the patient’s CAD/CAM-supported restoration.

An OsseoSpeed EV implant (Dentsply Sirona, Germany) was inserted in region 26, and an open impression could be taken after a healing period of three months. For taking an impression with Impregum (3M, Germany), a VITA disposable impression tray was perforated specifically in the area of the implant. On this basis, a master model was produced and digitized in the laboratory scanner inEos X5 (Dentsply Sirona, Germany).

The crown could now be designed with the exocad software (exocad, Germany). An abutment crown with integrated screw channel was designed to match the individual abutment and the screw channel diameter.

The milling unit N4 (vhf camfacture, Germany) was used to grind out the abutment crown wet.

The individual abutment was sandblasted prior to adhesive bonding and conditioned with a metal primer. The adhesive surfaces and the screw channel of the abutment crown were etched with hydrofluoric acid and then silanized. The cement gap and the abutment crown were finalized and polished under an air block after the composite cement had hardened. The prosthetic implant restoration was then screwed in intraorally, and the approximal contacts and occlusion were checked. After the insertion of Teflon tape, the screw channel could be adhesively closed with filling composite.

Thanks to the high vertical dimension of the VITA ENAMIC multiColor EMC-16 blank and the excellent CAM processing properties of hybrid ceramics, an esthetic abutment crown was efficiently fabricated with CAD/CAM support despite the presence of bone atrophy in region 26. A monolithic restoration can significantly reduce the risk of chipping. Furthermore, laboratory tests show that the dual network structure of hybrid ceramics allows them to stop an initial crack formation that could potentially occur. This suggests good long-term clinical stability. The external bonding prevents cement residues in the sulcus and prevents peri-implantitis. At the follow-up after one week, the patient was enthusiastic about the natural chewing sensation and the lifelike appearance of the hybrid ceramic restoration. The inspection revealed an inflammation-free, esthetically shaped gingiva and a natural play of shade and light for the polychrome hybrid ceramic crown.