Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of polymer-infiltrated-ceramic-network hybrid abutment crown on pink and white esthetics in comparison with lithium disilicate.
Materials and methods: Eighteen patients requiring single unit implant restorations in the maxillary esthetic zone were enrolled in the study. Each patient received a single screw-retained hybrid abutment crown of either lithium disilicate (IPS e.max CAD) or polymer-infilitrated ceramic network (VITA ENAMIC) and was followed up for 6 months. The pink and white esthetics were evaluated at 0, 3 and 6 months timepoints using PES/WES index.
Results: Regarding the combined PES/WES and the PES, no statistically significant difference was found between IPS e.max CAD and VITA ENAMIC hybrid abutment crowns at any timepoint. However, regarding the white esthetic score, a statistically significant difference was found between the two groups, favouring IPS e.max CAD.
Conclusion: Within limitations of this clinical study, it could be concluded that IPS e.max CAD hybrid abutment crowns can yield satisfactory pink and white esthetic outcomes, when performed in well selected cases. VITA ENAMIC hybrid abutment crowns can yield clinically acceptable cumulative pink and white esthetic scores, however single elements of white esthetics, such as color, surface texture, translucency and characterization are significantly threatened by time.