A Simple Alternative Solution Using Hybrid Ceramic Blocks for Porcelain Chipping in Implant-Supported Porcelain Fused Metal Prostheses

INTRODUCTION: Implant-supported metal-ceramicprostheses widely used for full arch and partial rehabilitationof missing teeth owing to their high mechanical stability,acceptable esthetics, cost effectiveness relative to all ceramicsystems, and favorable long term clinical outcomes. However,porcelain chipping remains a common complication leading topatient discomfort, additional chair time, and increased costs.In such cases, rather than removing and refiring the entirerestoration—which risks distortion, shrinkage, or cracking ofthe ceramic—it may be preferable to perform a localized repairlimited to the chipped area. To propose a simplified alternativeand minimally invasive approach for addressing porcelainchipping in metal-ceramic implant-supported prostheses.Case Description: A 44-year-old female patient presentedwith porcelain chipping in the maxillary right premolarregion (teeth #13–14) several years after the completion ofa metal-ceramic implant-supported prosthesis. The originalprosthesis was a single-piece, full-arch maxillary restoration.Replacing the entire structure would require high-temperaturefurnace processing for porcelain layering, which carriessubstantial risks of material shrinkage and fracture. Instead,a conservative approach was adopted: the affected area wasprepared like a tooth preparation, followed by conventionalsilicone impression-taking and digitization of the model tofacilitate a digital workflow. The prosthetic design preservedthe original tooth morphology, and a hybrid ceramic CAD/CAMblock (GC Cerasmart) was selected as the restorative material.Dual-cure adhesive resin cement was used for bonding.Discussion: At 18 months of follow up, the repair exhibitedexcellent functional and esthetic stability, with only minimalsurface staining noted and no further chipping or debonding. Keywords: Porcelain chipping, implant supported prosthesis,porcelain repair, hybrid ceramic CAD/CAM block