Clinical Performance of Hybrid Computer-aided Design/Computer-aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) Onlay Restorations

Overview

Background: Hybrid Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) materials have gained popularity in restorative dentistry due to their esthetic properties and favorable mechanical characteristics. However, clinical data evaluating the mid-term performance of indirect hybrid onlay restorations and their correlation with non-invasive fluorescence-based diagnostic tools remain limited. Aim: This study aimed to assess the 18-month clinical performance of indirect hybrid CAD/CAM onlay restorations using the World Dental Federation (FDI) criteria and to examine the diagnostic utility of Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence (QLF) imaging in evaluating marginal adaptation, discoloration, and secondary caries. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients (aged 18-53) with a total of 33 maxillary or mandibular molar teeth restored using Grandio Blocs (VOCO, Germany) were retrospectively included. Restorations were clinically evaluated at baseline and 18 months using the FDI criteria (esthetic, functional, biological domains) by two calibrated, blinded observers. Standardized photographs, periapical radiographs, and QLF images were analyzed. QLF imaging was performed with Qraypen C® to quantify fluorescence loss (ΔF) and red fluorescence (ΔR) at restoration margins. Statistical analysis was conducted to determine the correlation between FDI scores and fluorescence parameters. Comparisons between baseline and 18-month FDI scores were performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The correlation between FDI evaluation scores and fluorescence parameters was assessed using the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.A p-value of \<0.05 was considered statistically significant for all tests.

This retrospective clinical study was conducted at the Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Marmara University (approval number 2025-29). Patients who had their maxillary or mandibular molars treated with indirect hybrid Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) onlay restorations by a clinician between January 2023 and June 2023 were included. All procedures were performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and patients had previously provided institutional informed consent during hospital registration. The signed consent permitted the use of intraoral and extraoral radiographic images, digital records, clinical photographs, and other diagnostic materials for educational and scientific research purposes. A total of 58 buccal/lingual surfaces of the restoration-tooth margins of 33 molar teeth restored with Grandio Blocs (VOCO, Cuxhaven, Germany) were included in the evaluation. All hybrid onlay restorations included in the study were prepared and cemented by a faculty member with nine years of clinical experience in the Department of Restorative Dentistry. The eligibility of each tooth for onlay restoration was determined based on both clinical and radiographic evaluations. The criteria considered included the quantity and quality of the remaining tooth structure, occlusal relationships, periodontal status, history of pulpal or endodontic treatment, and esthetic demands. Tooth preparations were performed in accordance with standard adhesive protocols for hybrid onlays. A minimum of 2.0 mm occlusal reduction was ensured on both functional and non-functional cusps. Preparations featured a modified shoulder finish line, rounded internal line angles, and a convergence angle of approximately 10-15°, without any bevels. Prior to cavity preparation, the tooth shade was selected using the Vita Classical Shade Guide (VITA North America). Intraoral impressions were obtained with the Cerec Omnicam scanner (Dentsply Sirona), and the restorations were milled from Grandio blocs (VOCO) using a chairside CAD/CAM milling unit (CEREC MC X, Dentsply Sirona). The cementation procedure was performed in the same appointment as the cavity preparation and milling. Isolation was achieved using rubber dam, retraction cords, or cotton rolls as appropriate. The internal surface of the onlay was prepared with air abrasion using aluminum-oxide (Al2O3 particles, 53 μm particle size, 15 mm distance, 2.5 bar, 10 s; Velopex, London, UK), cleaned, dried, and silanized for 60 seconds. The prepared tooth surface was etched with 35% phosphoric acid, rinsed, and gently dried with air. Adhesive system (G-Premio Bond, GC Corp., Tokyo, Japan) was applied to both enamel and dentin surfaces and polymerized using light curing device (Demi Ultra, Kerr Dental, Orange, California, USA) for 20 s. The overlays were then bonded using a dual-curing resin cement (G-CEM One; GC Corp., Tokyo, Japan) in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Excess cement was removed with a dental scaler and floss. Light curing was performed for 20 s on each surface. Occlusal adjustments were completed using fine-grit diamond finishing burs under water cooling, followed by polishing with the Twist Diacomp Plus system (EVE Ernst Vetter GmbH, Birkenfeld, Germany). Patients were recalled one week later to reassess proximal contacts, marginal adaptation, and occlusal relationships. At the Department of Restorative Dentistry, follow-up controls for indirect hybrid CAD/CAM overlay restorations are routinely performed annually. During these visits, restorations are photographed using standardized protocols, and both periapical radiographs and fluorescence images are obtained. All image data are archived digitally for clinical monitoring and research purposes. Following the application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, which encompassed the evaluation of clinical, radiographic and fluorescence values of 30 patients with 33 restorations between the ages of 18 and 53 were included in this study. All included restorations were evaluated at the baseline (1-week recall) and 18-month follow-up using the World Dental Federation (FDI) criteria (Hickel et al., 2010). Two blinded and calibrated observers (A.A.Ş and H.B.C) independently assessed the restorations across three primary domains (functional, biological, and esthetic). Each criterion was scored on a scale; 1 = clinically excellent/very good, 2 = good (after minor correction), 3 = clinically acceptable, 4 = clinically unsatisfactory (repair indicated), 5 = clinically poor (replacement required). Scores of 1-3 were considered clinically acceptable, whereas scores of 4 or 5 were interpreted as failures (Supplementary Table 1, 2 and 3). 18-month follow-up periapical radiographs were also analyzed. Prior to the assessments, observer calibration was performed. At the 18-month clinical recall, each restoration was assessed using Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence (QLF) imaging acquired with the Qraypen C® device (AIOBIO, Seoul, South Korea), a fluorescence-based diagnostic tool with a field of view of 5-45 mm and a resolution of 1280 × 720 pixels. All images were obtained by a single calibrated operator (H.B.C) in a controlled clinical environment, where ambient lighting was minimized to ensure standardization across sessions. For each image, a region of interest (ROI) was manually defined around the tooth-restoration interface to allow consistent quantitative analysis. In line with the manufacturer's guidelines, the fluorescence assessment region was delineated to include only areas bordered by visually sound enamel and restoration. The fluorescence intensity within the ROI was evaluated using the manufacturer's proprietary software (QA2, version 1.24/1.25, Inspektor Research Systems BV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands). The key fluorescence parameters were measured: Autofluorescence loss (ΔFmax and ΔFaverage (%)), and red fluorescence (ΔRmax and ΔRaverage (%)). Statistical analysis was performed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics software. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all clinical and fluorescence parameters, including means, standard deviations, medians, and interquartile ranges, where appropriate. The normality of data distribution was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Comparisons between baseline and 18-month FDI scores were performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for paired ordinal data. The correlation between FDI evaluation scores (marginal adaptation, marginal discoloration, and recurrent caries) and fluorescence parameters (ΔFmax, ΔFaverage, ΔRmax, ΔRaverage) was assessed using the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. A p-value of \<0.05 was considered statistically significant for all tests. Inter-examiner agreement for FDI scoring was evaluated using Cohen's kappa coefficient, with values greater than 0.85 considered indicative of high reliability.