Dentistry has evolved over the past decades to meet increasingly demanding esthetic and functional needs from patients [1],[2]. New restorative materials and techniques for both direct and indirect restorations have been developed and improved [3],[4]. However, studies on the biomechanical behavior of these materials are still necessary to confirm whether they fulfill the requirements of masticatory function [5].

The ideal restorative material should fulfill functional and esthetic requirements while offering long-term stability [6]. Although direct resin composite restorations present acceptable color matching [7], adequate mechanical properties [8], easy repair [9], and longevity in the clinical service [10], there are still concerns regarding the potential effects of inherent polymerization shrinkage stresses related to these materials, which could lead to marginal staining, loss of marginal seal, microleakage, secondary caries, enamel cracks, postoperative sensitivity, cusp fracture, and restoration failure [11].

Therefore, indirect all-ceramic restorations are better suited in the case of wide cavities with extensive tissue destruction, especially in endodontically treated teeth. Glass-ceramics present improved mechanical properties compared to resin composites, less shrinkage stress (of the resin luting cement), and optimal esthetic features with long-lasting shade match [12].

Thus, this case report aims to describe the clinical steps regarding the performance of the ceramic crown technique.

A 30-year-old female patient attended the Dental Clinic complaining of tooth appearance. The clinical examination showed a coronary fracture in tooth 25, reaching the lingual and distal walls, as well as the presence of caries on the distal aspect, without painful symptoms (Figure 1A). The digital radiographic evaluation showed that endodontic treatment was successfully performed without the need for retreatment (Figure 1B).

Thus, considering the patient’s aesthetic requirement, the treatment plan consisted of producing a lithium disilicate ceramic crown due to the lack of integrity of the surrounding walls, aided by a fiberglass post to provide greater stability and mechanical resistance. After discussing the case, the patient signed the Free and Informed Consent Form.

Initially, the oral environment was adapted, in which supragingival and subgingival scrapings were performed to eliminate tartar and guide oral hygiene to ensure the quality of life and proper maintenance of teeth.

Then, posterior upper alveolar anesthesia was performed and the dental surfaces were cleaned. For root canal preparation, the filling material was removed at least for the same crown measure and preparation was performed with a wide #3 Gates drill. Then, 37% phosphoric acid etching was performed for 15 seconds (Ultradent Products, SP, Brazil), followed by washing and drying with a paper cone (Figure 2A, Figure 2B, Figure 2C). The adhesive was applied (Single Bond, 3M ESPE, Brazil) and paper cones were used for excess removal (Figure 2D and Figure 2E). Then light curing (Valo Cordless, Ultradent Products, SP, Brazil) was performed for 40 seconds (Figure 2F). The intraradicular post was cleaned with phosphoric acid for 10 seconds, followed by washing, drying, and silane application (Figure 2G). After 3 minutes, the adhesive was applied in the canal, dried by air spray, and light-cured for 15 seconds. The cement (RelyX U100 3M ESPE, Brazil) was inserted in the canal with a lentulo spiral, positioning the post with the help of clinical tweezers (Figure 2H). The excess cement was removed and light-curing was performed for 40 seconds.

The full crown preparation was characterized by a cervical end in a rounded shoulder with the aid of a 4138 diamond tip drill (KG Sorensen, Brazil) (Figure 2I and Figure 2J). After completing the preparation, the impression was made with the help of two retraction threads from Ultrapak with a caliber compatible with the gingival groove. The threads used were 00 and 0, and the thinner one (thread 00) was maintained during molding (Figure 2K and Figure 2L). The impression material used was addition silicone (Silicona Elite Zhermack). Before cementing, the crown was tested to check the color and adaptation to the dental structure (Figure 3A), and then prophylaxis was performed with pumice and water. In the prosthetic part, 10% hydrofluoric acid (FGM Produtos Odontológicos) was applied for 1 minute, followed by washing and drying with air spray on the adhesive (Single Bond, 3M ESPE) (Figure 3B). Silane was maintained for 60 seconds and then air-dried (Figure 3C). The self-adhesive cement RelyX U100 3M ESPE was inserted inside the ceramic crown, the excess cement was removed (Figure 3D and Figure 3E), and, after 3 minutes, photoactivation was performed for 40 seconds on each surface. After cementation, occlusal adjustment (Figure 3E and Figure 3F) and polishing with abrasive tips for ceramics and digital radiography were performed (Figure 4A and Figure 4B).

The longevity of dental restorations is affected by several factors such as material properties, patient behavior, technique acuity, and operator skills during the clinical steps [13].

Over the years, the formulation of resin-based composites has evolved. As a result, their mechanical and optical properties improved. However, polymerization shrinkage remains one of the main problems related to the use of this material on direct techniques, especially in the case of great losses of tooth structure [14]. To prevent the side effects of polymerization shrinkage, which may result in cracks, gaps, and marginal leakage in the remaining dental tissue, direct resin composites may not be indicated to restore extensively compromised teeth. In such cases, indirect restorations are recommended and may be produced with indirect resin composite or dental ceramics [15].

Indirect systems allow the extraoral production of restorations, which not only strengthens the mechanical and physical properties of the restorative material but also prevents residual monomer development. Furthermore, indirect restorations do not require all the inconveniences inherent to direct restoration procedures, e.g., operatory field isolation, protection of adjacent teeth with metal strips, and recovery of proximal contacts. This ensures a reliable marginal adaptation, simplifies the restorative process, and saves time to both operator and patient [16].

The digital radiographs performed in this case report have the main advantages of reducing working time and reducing the radiation dose. The technology uses radiation-sensitive circuit boards, which send the captured image directly to the computer. In this way, there is no need for film development or a digitizer [17].

Ceramics are characterized by physical and mechanical properties such as microhardness and thermal and electrical insulation, as well as optical properties, therefore representing a high translucent material. They also present surface smoothness and degradation resistance, which enable color stability and restoration integrity over time. These features also contribute to the compatibility with periodontal tissues. The most used ceramics in dentistry are oxides, particularly silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, and zirconium dioxide, which are suited for several types of indirect restorations: inlays, onlays, full-coverage crowns, laminates, fixed partial dentures, and implant abutments [18].

Adding dispersed lithium disilicate crystals to the glass matrix of feldspathic ceramics increased the mechanical properties without compromising optical properties [19]. Lithium disilicate-based materials are remarkable among dental glass-ceramics and extensively used for crowns due to their high flexural strength and, due to its translucency, it can be used to manufacture monolithic restorations, completely anatomical and with integral contour. The high strength makes it ideal for making inlays, onlays, thin veneers, anterior partial crowns, posterior crowns, bridges in three anterior units, bridges and implant superstructures up to the second premolar. However, it requires special care with the crown and bridge design so that it has a minimum material thickness of 0.8 mm and a connection area of 16 mm² [20]. Nonetheless, lithium disilicate ceramics can mimic hard dental tissues and present sufficient mechanical properties to support their use in partial preparations of posterior teeth [20].

Considering the clinical case presented, it may be concluded that lithium disilicate-based ceramics are indicated for indirect crowns because this type of dental ceramic presents adequate mechanical and optical properties that will lead to clinical success, restoring health, esthetics, and masticatory function to patients.