Indirect Restorations

Dental structural defects can be the consequence of multiple factors, and cavities are the predominant cause, with an estimated prevalence of over 90% in the general population worldwide. Other factors such as erosion, abrasion, attrition, fracture, and combinations may contribute to hard tooth tissue loss. These situations can give rise to sensitivity, pain, pulp tissue involvement, secondary caries, and periodontal and occlusal problems (antagonistic extrusions, interferences, etc.). All this generates the need for tooth restoration with indirect partial restorations being a minimally invasive alternative to conventional crowns. They have good aesthetic results, color stability, biocompatibility, and high long-term survival rates. This chapter will present how to make tooth preparation for indirect restorations, working protocols for immediate dentin sealing (IDS), cavity optimization, re-preparation, impression and provisional restoration, and cementation.