Available online 18 April 2025

The prevalence of pathological tooth wear and a reduced vertical dimension of occlusion has increased, but prosthetic rehabilitation concepts have been invasive, time-consuming, and expensive. How affordable, esthetic, and less invasive treatment concepts will perform remains unclear.

The purpose of this proof-of-concept clinical study was to evaluate the wear behavior of 3-dimensionally (3D) printed, minimally invasive restorations fabricated from a ceramic- reinforced composite resin material after 24 months in clinical function.

The study included 28 participants who received noninvasive 3D printed restorations made of a computer-aided design and computer aided-manufacturing (CAD-CAM) ceramic-reinforced composite resin material (n=352). Maximum occlusal height loss and mean profile loss were measured by using an intraoral scanner and a matching software program (Geomagic Control X; 3D systems) by 1 clinician. Scans were conducted at baseline and after 12 and 24 months. A descriptive statistical analysis, including mean values, medians, standard deviations (SDs) interquartile range and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were conducted (α=.05).

Maximum occlusal height loss and mean profile loss were analyzed. The molar restorations showed the highest mean values of maximum occlusal height loss after 12 (0.76 mm) and 24 (1.25 mm) months. The anterior restorations showed the lowest wear rates. In general, 123 restorations (35%) had material wear >0.5 mm and were classified as fractured after 24 months of clinical application. Most of the nonfractured restorations experienced localized material wear between 0.11 mm and 0.35 mm, whereas mean profile loss values varied between 0.05 mm and 0.11 mm.

Three-dimensionally printed, noninvasive restorations manufactured from a ceramic-reinforced composite resin material showed considerable material wear after 2 years of clinical function, and the material appears suitable only for interim restorations.

Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the Editorial Council of The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.