CAD/CAM Composite and Ceramic Overlays Performed Alike on MIH Molars at 12 Months

Edited by Dentaltown staff

Two CAD/CAM overlay materials used to restore first permanent molars affected by molar-incisor hypomineralization performed comparably through 12 months, according to a split-mouth randomized clinical trial published Aug. 7 in Clinical Oral Investigations.

Investigators enrolled 20 children aged 8 to 13 with 40 affected first permanent molars, all scoring 2b, 2c, 4b, or 4c on the MIH treatment need index. Each child received a nanohybrid composite overlay on one molar and a hybrid ceramic overlay on the contralateral tooth, so every participant served as their own control.

All restorations were produced through a digital workflow, from intraoral scanning through CAD/CAM design and milling, and were adhesively cemented with a universal dual-cure resin cement. Two blinded examiners assessed them against modified U.S. Public Health Service criteria at baseline and at six and 12 months.

Most criteria showed clinically acceptable results in both groups across the follow-up. No significant differences appeared between materials at baseline or at six months for surface and marginal staining or for postoperative hypersensitivity and tooth vitality. At 12 months, one ceramic restoration was downgraded for marginal adaptation, with an explorer catching slightly but no visible gap, and the difference between groups for postoperative hypersensitivity was not significant at P = .050.

Every restoration was available for evaluation at both six and 12 months. Hypersensitivity scores measured on the Schiff cold air sensitivity scale decreased significantly in both groups.

Alp Akça, Figen Eren, and Betül Kargül conducted the trial.

The follow-up is short and the cohort small. Preliminary 18-month data were available for only seven of the 20 patients, and a single fracture occurred in the ceramic group during that period. The results describe early performance in a modest sample rather than establishing durability for either material.

Sources:
Clinical Oral Investigations, “Clinical comparison of CAD/CAM nanohybrid composite and hybrid ceramic overlays in children with molar–incisor hypomineralisation: a split-mouth prospective randomized clinical trial,” published online Aug. 7, 2026: link.springer.com/10.1007/s00784-026-07067-4
DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s00784-026-07067-4