Use of molecular indicators of inflammation to assess the biocompatibility of all-ceramic restorations.

AIM: The purpose of this in vivo study was quantification of inflammatory reaction to ceramic restorations made from lithium disilicate and zirconia by measurement of the concentration of indicators of inflammation in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients out of three prospective cohort-studies investigating three different all-ceramic restoration materials for crowns and fixed dental prostheses were included. Patients needed an associated, unrestored tooth to serve as control. GCF samples were taken from the sulcus of the restored teeth and the related controls (n = 59 pairs) and the concentrations of IL1-beta, IL-1ra and aMMP-8, as indicators of inflammation, were determined by use of ELISA tests. Periodontal status was also assessed clinically by measurement of pocket depth (PD), plaque index (PI) and bleeding on probing (BOP).

RESULTS: The concentrations of the inflammation indicators were not significantly different between restored teeth and controls or between lithium disilicate and zirconia restorations (p > 0.05). Furthermore, no significant difference between PD of restored teeth and controls or between groups could be shown.

CONCLUSION: Within the limitation of the study, treatment with all-ceramic restorations did not induce inflammatory reactions in a group of periodontal healthy patients. No differences between the gingiva reactions of lithium disilicate and zirconia restorations could be shown.