The Cercon system from Dentsply Prosthetics allows dental professionals to bring their wealth of clinical and lab experience together to create a restoration that is best suited for a patient’s needs. Professionals can use Cercon zirconia frameworks for all single units, two-abutment bridges with a maximum mesial-distal span of 38 mm, and longer bridges with multiple abutments up to a 47mm linear span. As a new esthetic option, clinicians can now present patients with metal-free Cercon inlay bridges that match porcelain fused to metal inlay bridges in load bearing capacity.
Clinical recommendations
Inlay bridges are a conservative restorative option, especially when the professional or patient is concerned about preserving natural tooth structure. Preparing a restorative site for a Cercon inlay bridge is relatively straightforward and comparable to preparing for other inlay restorations. Inlay bridges are typically single-span (three-unit) constructions used for replacing a missing second premolar. Inlay bridges to replace first molars should be considered only in very carefully selected cases if the occlusal relationships are favorable and if the width of the pontic is 10 mm or less.
Keep the following guidelines in mind when preparing an inlay-retained bridge:
Full coverage abutment:
Prepare a full-coverage abutment conventionally, with ≥ 1 mm axial and ≥ 1.5 mm occlusal reduction and smooth line angles.
The full coverage abutment may be conventionally cemented or adhesively bonded.
Inlay abutment:
Take care to ensure sufficient proximal box width (4 mm) and appropriate height (4-5 mm).
The connector area should be not less than 9 sq. mm.
The recommended preparation angle of divergence is 2 to 3 degrees.
The preparation should have smooth rounded line angles and be free of retentive elements.
The angle between the facial and lingual aspects of the proximal box and the tooth’s external surface should be between 70 and 90 degrees.
Vestibular or lingual extensions, and beveling of cavosurface margins are not recommended.
For maximal retention of the inlay abutment, we recommend bonding adhesiv
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