HD-17 CAM Blocks (1 yr)

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1-Year Clinical Performance

Benco Dental
1.800.462.3626
www.benco.com

Description

HD-17 CAM Blocks are leucite-reinforced blocks of ceramic on mandrels that fit CEREC mills, up to the CEREC 3 and the inLab, but not the MC XL machines. The blocks are available in eight Vita shades plus Bleach Light shade, in block sizes 8, 10, 12, and 14. The clinical performance of HD-17 CAM Blocks was evaluated using the CEREC System within an esthetic practice over a 12-month period.

 

Clinical Evaluation Protocol

• A total of 40 posterior restorations were placed. Restoration types included inlays, onlays, and full crowns.
• When patients return for their hygiene appointments (recall), their restorations are checked. Thirty-six restorations were evaluated at 12 months.
• Of the recalled restorations, 26 were placed in molars and 10 were placed in premolars.
• Restorations were bonded with a total-etch system (Prime & Bond NT, DENTSPLY Caulk) and an esthetic resin cement (Variolink II, Ivoclar Vivadent).
• Restorations were evaluated and rated on a scale of 1 to 5: 1=poor, 2=fair, 3=good, 4=very good, 5=excellent.

Clinical Observations

Resistance to Fracture
Thirty-five of the 36 recalled restorations were intact when evaluated at 12-months. Eighty-nine percent of restorations were rated as excellent for fracture resistance, and 8% were rated very good (Figure 1). One restoration, an MOD inlay on tooth #13, had a critical fracture, which required replacement within the first six-month period. No other restorations were found to have any fractures or chipping at recall, including several clinical situations where the patient was reported to be a clinical bruxer. This result is consistent with other material options for the CEREC system.
 

Esthetics/Vitality
HD-17 CAM Blocks are monochromatic blocks by design. Naturally that limited the clinical situations in which HD-17 CAM Blocks could be used without characterization with custom stains and glazes. The esthetics were found to be very good (58%) to excellent (17%) when used with proper case selection (Figure 1). In general, shades with higher values were found to have better translucency than the shades with lower values. At the time of placement several restorations were found to be too opaque; however, esthetics was often rated higher at recall, which perhaps may be attributed to rehydration of the tooth.

Resistance to Marginal Discoloration
Ninety-four percent of restorations rated as either excellent or very good for lack of marginal stain during the first year (Figure 1). Most restorations were designed to avoid areas of heavy occlusal contact and most restorations were bonded with rubber dam isolation.
 

Wear Resistance
Wear of the restoration was more patient dependant than material specific. Nearly all restorations were rated as excellent (69%) or very good (28%) (Figure 1). Patients with a history of bruxism and evidence of clinical wear were not excluded from this evaluation; however, occlusal design and margin placement were meticulously considered in those individuals.
 

Sensitivity
Sensitivity was rated as excellent (86%) in most cases at evaluation (Figure 1). In general little to no post-operative sensitivity was present at the recall examinations.

Overall, the categories of resistance to fracture, esthetics, resistance to marginal discoloration, wear, and lack of sensitivity all received high ratings (Figure 2).

Summary

HD-17 CAM Blocks are leucite-reinforced ceramic for the CEREC chairside CAD/CAM milling unit. Restorations were placed and recalled at 6 and 12 months during the patients’ subsequent hygiene appointments. Restoration types included inlays, onlays and crowns. There was one clinical failure of a restoration and one restoration was replaced because the patient preferred to have a gold restoration. The categories of resistance to fracture, esthetics, resistance to marginal discoloration, wear, and lack of sensitivity all received high ratings. HD-17 CAM Blocks received a 92% clinical rating.

More About: Benco Dental, CAD/CAM Accessory

Editors' Note:

Since the evaluation of the HD-17 blocks Benco has updated their product to also be used in the MCXL.