MINIMALLY INVASIVE REHABILITATION OF AN ENDODONTICALLY TREATED MANDIBULAR SECOND MOLAR WITH A CERAMIC INLAY: CASE REPORT
14th INTERNATIONAL PALANDÖKEN SCIENTIFIC STUDIES CONGRESS, Erzurum, Türkiye, 21 - 22 Temmuz 2026, ss.700-707, (Tam Metin Bildiri)
- Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Tam Metin Bildiri
- Basıldığı Şehir: Erzurum
- Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.700-707
- Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
ABSTRACT
Objective: Preservation of the remaining sound tooth structure and the establishment of appropriate proximal contacts and occlusal relationships are essential in the restoration of endodontically treated posterior teeth. This case report aimed to present the minimally invasive rehabilitation of a mandibular second molar with substantial tooth structure loss following root canal treatment using a digitally fabricated ceramic inlay, thereby avoiding conventional full-crown preparation.
Case Presentation: A 32-year-old male patient presented to the clinic with pain and deep caries involving tooth #37. Following clinical and radiographic examinations, root canal treatment was performed. To preserve as much of the remaining sound tooth structure as possible and meet the esthetic expectations of the young patient, a mesio-occlusal ceramic inlay was planned instead of a conventional full-coverage crown. The cavity was refined to allow passive seating of the ceramic restoration while ensuring adequate restorative material thickness and marginal adaptation. Sharp internal line angles were rounded, and a digital impression was obtained. Proximal contacts, anatomical contours, and occlusal contacts were considered during the digital design of the restoration. After the intraoral fit of the fabricated ceramic inlay was verified, the restoration was adhesively cemented and delivered to the patient within two days. Compared with direct composite restorations, the superior color stability, wear resistance, and esthetic properties of ceramic materials, together with the limitation of polymerization shrinkage primarily to the thin resin cement layer, were considered important advantages.
Conclusions: Digitally fabricated ceramic inlay restorations represent a minimally invasive treatment option for endodontically treated posterior teeth with substantial tooth structure loss, as they enable preservation of the remaining sound dental tissues. In the present case, appropriate proximal contacts, anatomical form, and occlusal relationships were re-established using a ceramic inlay, resulting in esthetic and functional rehabilitation within a short treatment period. Considering the advantages of ceramic materials, including color stability, wear resistance, and limited polymerization shrinkage, ceramic inlays may be considered a viable alternative to conventional full-coverage crowns in appropriately selected endodontically treated posterior teeth.
Keywords: Ceramic inlay; endodontically treated tooth; digital dentistry; minimally invasive restoration; adhesive cementation.