Abstract:

Objective This study aimed to compare the clinical efficacy and impact on masticatory function of lithium disilicate ceramic onlays fabricated using CAD/CAM technology versus conventional impression techniques for restoring pulpless posterior tooth defects. Methods A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted from February 2021 to February 2023， enrolling 104 patients requiring lithium disilicate ceramic onlay restoration for posterior teeth. Patients were randomized into two groups using a random number table： 52 patients in the study group received lithium disilicate ceramic onlays fabricated with CAD/CAM technology， and 52 patients in the control group received onlays fabricated via conventional impression. The two groups were compared in terms of gingival index， tooth mobility， plaque index， masticatory efficiency， patient satisfaction with aesthetics， and incidence of adverse reactions. Results After restoration， the study group showed lower scores of tooth mobility， gingival index， and plaque index than the control group （P < 0.05）. One year after restoration， the masticatory efficiency of the study group was higher than that of the control group （P < 0.05）. The incidence of adverse reactions in the study group was 5.77%， which was significantly lower than 25.00% in the control group （P < 0.05）. The aesthetic satisfaction rate in the study group was 94.23%， which was significantly higher than that in the control group （P < 0.05）. Conclusions Compared with conventional impression techniques， CAD/CAM technology provides better restoration fit and masticatory efficiency， and improves patient satisfaction when restoring pulpless posterior tooth defects. These findings indicate that CAD/CAM technology has significant advantages in posterior tooth onlay restoration and is worthy of clinical promotion.

Key words: CAD/CAM technology, lithium disilicate ceramic, high inlay, chewing function, endodontically treated posterior teeth restoration