Objective:
The purpose of this prospective clinical study was to evaluate the performance of porcelain veneers after 5 and 10 years of clinical service.

Materials and Methods:
A single experienced clinician placed 87 porcelain veneers in 25 patients in 1990 and 1991. The teeth included maxillary central incisors to first premolars. As described in the 5-year report of this study, preparations included a chamfer margin, 0.3 to 0.7 mm labial enamel reduction, and incisal edge coverage. A single laboratory technician fabricated the veneers using feldspathic porcelain on refractory dies. Internal surfaces were etched with 5% hydrofluoric acid and silanated. Teeth were isolated with a rubber dam prior to veneer placement. All veneers were bonded with a light-activated resin cement. Patients were recalled at 5 to 6 years and at 10 years after initial veneer placement. Two evaluators examined each veneer for retention, fractures, color match, surface roughness, marginal adaptation, leakage, recurrent caries, pulp vitality, and patient satisfaction. Marginal adaptation was assessed further using scanning electron microscopy to examine epoxy replicas.

Conclusion:
Porcelain veneers are a reliable and effective means for conservative esthetic treatment of anterior teeth in the long term. After 10 years of clinical service, esthetic results remained good, patient satisfaction was high, and the retention rate was excellent. The number of irreparable fractures was low. Appropriate preparation design, occlusion, and use of adhesive materials contribute to the ultimate outcome.

PMID: 16650257 [PubMed - in process]