Purpose: The objective of this follow-up study was to examine the performance of Cerec inlays and onlays, all of which were placed by the same clinician, in terms of clinical quality over a functional period of 15 years.
Materials and methods: Of 200 Cerec inlays and onlays placed consecutively in a private practice by one of the authors (TO) between 1989 and early 1991, 187 were closely monitored over a period of 15 years. All ceramic inlays and onlays had been placed chairside using the Cerec 1 method and had been luted with a bonding composite. Up to 17 years after their placement, a follow-up assessment was conducted, and the restorations were classified using modified United States Public Health Service criteria.
Results: According to Kaplan-Meier analysis, the success rate of Cerec inlays and onlays was 88.7% after 17 years. A total of 21 failures (11%) were found in 17 patients. Of these failures, 76% were attributed to ceramic fractures (62%) or tooth fractures (14%). The reasons for the remaining failures were caries (19%) and endodontic problems (5%). Restorations of premolars presented a lower failure risk than those of molars.
Conclusion: The survival rate probability of 88.7% after up to 17 years of clinical service for Cerec computer-aided design/computer-assisted machining restorations made of Vita Mk I feldspathic ceramic is regarded as a very respectable clinical outcome.