Prospective randomized clinical trial on the survival of lithium disilicate posterior partial crowns bonded using immediate or delayed dentin sealing: short-term results on tooth sensitivity and patient satisfaction

This prospective randomized clinical trial evaluated tooth sensitivity and patient satisfaction after the provision of partial ceramic restorations bonded using immediate (IDS) or delayed dentin sealing (DDS) on vital molar teeth through a within-subject comparison study. Between December 2013 and May 2016, a total of 30 patients (13 women, 17 men; mean age, 54 years old) received two lithium disilicate ceramic (IPS-e.max press, Ivoclar Vivadent) partial restorations on vital first or second molar teeth (N=60). The two teeth randomly received either IDS (test group, n=30) or DDS (control group, n=30). Partial preparations were performed on all teeth and directly after tooth preparation. IDS was achieved using self-etch adhesive (Clearfil SE Primer and Adhesive, Kuraray) followed by the application of flowable resin (Clearfil Majesty Flow, Kuraray). Partial ceramic restorations were bonded (Variolink Ultra, Ivoclar Vivadent) two weeks after preparation. The teeth were evaluated preoperatively and at one week, three months, and 12 months postoperatively using a cold test and a questionnaire for perceived tooth sensitivity. Patient satisfaction was evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS). Data were analyzed using McNemar, chi-squared, and Wilcoxon signed rank tests (α=0.01). There was no significant difference in patient-reported tooth sensitivity between the preoperative phase and all other time points (p>0.01). There was also no significant difference between IDS and DDS (p>0.01) for all items on the questionnaire. VAS scores did not differ significantly between the IDS and DDS groups for all items in the questionnaire at all time points (p>0.01). No tooth sensitivity change was noticed with the application of partial ceramic indirect restorations. This clinical study could not confirm that IDS is more advantageous than DDS in terms of tooth sensitivity and patient satisfaction at 1 year of clinical service of partial ceramic restorations.