From the Research
Guidelines for Endocrown Preparation
The guidelines for endocrown preparation are as follows:
- A cervical margin in the form of a butt joint is required 1
- The preparation of the pulp chamber should not extend into the root canals 1
- The remaining tooth substance should be preserved to increase longevity 1
- A specific preparation design is required, which is distinct from the conventional crown 2
- The preparation design should include a circular butt-joint margin and a central retention cavity inside the pulp chamber 3
- The amount of remaining coronal substance should dictate the preparation and the decision to omit a post 3
- Factors such as cavity depth, occlusal thickness, ferrule effect, internal divergence angle, type of finish line, and adding vents inside the pulp chamber can influence the marginal integrity and fracture resistance of endocrowns 4
Key Considerations
- The endocrown preparation should be designed to preserve the remaining tooth structure and prevent interferences with periodontal tissues 3
- A supragingival position of the restoration margins is recommended to prevent interferences with periodontal tissues 3
- The foundation of the endocrown technique is to use the surface available in the pulpal chamber to assume the stability and retention of the restoration through adhesive procedures 3
- Lithium disilicate glass-ceramic is the most recommended material for endocrowns due to its excellent mechanical properties and esthetic results 2, 5