Clinical success of Empress 2 glass-ceramic as a bridge material

The development of the new glass-ceramic material Empress 2 offers new pers pectives in providing patients with metal-free dental bridges. The objectiv e of this study was to investigate if this material was able to meet the go od preliminary in vitro-results under clinical circumstances. Material and methods. Since August 1997, a total of 83 bridges were placed in 70 patient s (26 male/44 female). In 33 cases, the official guidelines of the manufact urer were followed (group A), in 31 cases intracoronal retained adhesive br idges (group B) were fabricated and in 19 cases bridges with extended indic ation for the replacement of second premolars, first molars or cantilever p ontics (group C) were inserted. Bridges with full-crown retainers (Groups A and C) were cemented conventionally with glass-ionomer cements (28 with Ke tac Cem and 24 with ProTec Gem). For the adhesive bridges of Group B, the V ariolink system was used. Recalls were made after 6, 12 and 24 months. Resu lts: Two total failures took place in group A, four in group B and three in group C. All fractures occurred in the connector area. Another ten cases s howed chipping of the veneer ceramic. Conclusion: After two years of clinical service, it can be concluded that i n addition to the indication given by the manufacturer, Empress 2 is also c linically successful for adhesive bridges and that use in posterior tooth-r egions might be possible if the span of the pontic is not longer than 8 - 9 mm. Because of the very short observation period general recommendations f or extended indications cannot be given at the moment.