Critical Appraisal

Abstract

The use of all‐ceramic fixed partial dentures is still controversial, although materials for ceramic frameworks have been introduced into the market and new materials and techniques and technologies for their fabrication are constantly evolving. In the quest to provide scientific data evaluating these new systems and to provide clinicians with guidelines for their use, in vitro studies followed by clinical ones have been and are currently performed. Although in vitro strength studies provide both clinicians and researchers with useful information for selecting ceramic materials and techniques for further research, they might not directly predict or reflect clinical performance. To enhance their clinical relevance, in vitro studies should better mimic oral conditions, such as cyclic loading and contact stresses, tooth mobility, temperature changes, and chemically assisted degradation. Such in vitro studies simulating oral conditions will provide clinically relevant information. However, clinicians must rely on the results of properly designed clinical studies to determine the efficacy of all‐ceramic fixed partial dentures before prescribing such treatment to their patients. This “Critical Appraisal” continues a discussion of the in vitro studies. Part III will discuss the clinical studies on the clinical performance of all‐ceramic fixed partial dentures.