Minimally Invasive Resin-Bonded Zirconia Veneers for the Treatment of Discolored Teeth: A Multidisciplinary Case Report by the First Committee of Junior Members of the Italian Dental Prosthesis and Oral Rehabilitation Society (SIPRO)

Objectives: Among modern metal-free materials, zirconia, a high-performance ceramic material that can only be manufactured through CAM procedures, has certainly exponentially gained popularity thanks to its mechanical strength, biocompatibility, esthetic, and versatility. However, one of the main debates that has been raised in relation to zirconia is its usage as an adhesive material. The present case report describes the clinical outcome of a multidisciplinary case finalized with adhesive minimally invasive zirconia veneers for the treatment of discolored teeth after a 24-month follow-up. Methods: A 19-year-old female patient with discolored upper frontal teeth (first premolar to first premolar) negatively affecting her self-esteem and social life was visited by a prosthodontic specialist. The treatment plan included orthodontic treatment, soft and hard tissue management through surgical procedures, and, lastly, minimally invasive adhesive zirconia veneers. The zirconia veneers bonding was performed under a rubber dam by conditioning the dental substrate by sandblasting the enamel with 40-micron aluminum oxide, etching with orthophosphoric acid 37%, and using a proper adhesive system. Monolithic zirconia restorations were sandblasted with 70-micron aluminum oxide at 0.2 MPa, then cleaned with a specific cleaner, and treated with a primer. Results: At the last follow-up (24 months), neither biological nor mechanical complications were observed. The patient anecdotally reported being very satisfied with the functional and esthetic results obtained. Therefore, the case was considered successful. Conclusions: Within the limitations of the present case report, the reported case on the use of minimally invasive resin-bonded zirconia veneers for the treatment of discolored teeth showed excellent outcomes after a 24-month follow-up. The use of zirconia as an adhesive material seems to be emerging. However, more clinical studies are required to validate the procedure.