Cementation of Tooth-colored Restorations - A Survey among Dentists in Germany

Purpose: To survey dentists in Germany regarding their preferred cementation regimen for fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) fabricated from various restorative materials. Materials and Methods: An online survey was developed for completion by dentists in Germany between 08/2019 and 02/2020. The questionnaire gathered information about the cementation regimen (conventional, including the acid-base cements zinc-oxide phosphate or any glass-ionomer cement; self-adhesive; adhesive; don’t know) that the participant would preferably select for the insertion of single- or multi-unit FDPs fabricated from various restorative materials. Data were also collected on demographic and personal characteristics. Results: A total of 721 dentists completed the survey, and the data from 688 questionnaires were included in the analysis. Conventional cementation was the option of choice for restorations fabricated from alloy/porcelain-fusedto- metal among 91.0% of the participants and for restorations fabricated from polycrystalline ceramics among 42.9% of the participants. Adhesive cementation was preferred for restorations fabricated from feldspathic/leucitereinforced glass ceramics (77.9%), lithium-disilicate glass ceramics (67.5%), zirconia-reinforced lithium-silicate glass ceramics (42.0%), and CAD/CAM resin composites (63.8%). Uncertainties regarding the appropriate cementation protocol for restorations fabricated from CAD/CAM resin composites were reported by 15% of the participants. More than 20% of the participants selected a technique that is less or not at all recommended for the cementation of restorations fabricated from zirconia-reinforced lithium-silicate glass ceramic and CAD/CAM resin composites. Conclusion: The results of the survey suggest that dentists in Germany select the cementation regime depending on the restorative material. Some of the participating dentists selected cementation regimens that are less or not at all recommended for restorations fabricated from zirconia-reinforced lithium-silicate glass ceramic and CAD/CAM resin composites, or were not sure about the appropriate cementation protocol.