Ceramic restorations produced using CAD/CAM may show strong longevity, suggesting this technology can improve the durability and survival of these dental restorations. This review was recently published in Medicine.
However, further research may be needed to confirm their clinical effectiveness, the authors wrote.
“This study provides an in-depth insight into the application of CAD/CAM ceramic restorations in dental rehabilitation by systematically evaluating their survival rates and complications,” wrote co-author Xin Ling of the Guangxi Medical University College and Hospital of Stomatology in China (Medicine, January 23, 2026).
To assess the survival rates of CAD/CAM ceramic dental restorations, an electronic search was conducted to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies between 2000 and 2024 with at least a one-year follow-up. After further screening, 25 studies met the inclusion criteria, they wrote.
These included 13 RCTs and 12 cohort studies involving patients who received at least one CAD/CAM ceramic restoration. The intervention focused on nonmetallic ceramic restorations, such as veneers, crowns, abutments, and dentures, designed and fabricated using CAD/CAM, with survival and failure rates as the primary outcomes.
Overall, CAD/CAM ceramic restorations demonstrated high color retention and caries-free performance, with pooled estimates of 98% for color retention and 98% for caries-free rates.
In non-RCT studies, the estimated survival rate was 96% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 93% to 98%) over a mean follow-up of 24 to 67 months with moderate heterogeneity (I² = 52%, p = .011), they wrote.
Subgroup analysis of RCTs showed survival rates by restoration type in descending order:
- Veneers at 100% (95% CI: 96% to 100%)
- Crowns at 96% (95% CI: 92% to 99%)
- Partial dentures at 96% (95% CI: 90% to 100%)
- Inlays/onlays at 92% (95% CI: 86% to 97%)
By material type in RCTs, survival rates were the highest for mixed or other materials at 99% (95% CI: 95% to 100%) followed by lithium disilicate at 98% (95% CI: 94% to 100%), zirconia at 95% (95% CI: 92% to 98%), and resin at 92% (95% CI: 86% to 97%). In non-RCT analyses, crowns showed a survival rate of 95% (95% CI: 92% to 96%).
The study, however, had limitations. The report focused on survival rates, indicating that further studies are needed to evaluate additional factors such as bacterial adhesion, fatigue, and flexural strength, the authors added.
“These findings align with previous studies, indicating the potential of CAD/CAM technology to enhance restoration survival rates,” Ling and co-author Lei Huang concluded.
