Replacement of Unesthetic Posterior Metal Crowns with Monolithic Zirconia Crowns: A Case Report

Advances in metal-free materials and the popularization of Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) have led to the wide clinical use of all-ceramic crowns for esthetic restorations. A 72-year-old woman presented to our hospital with unesthetic restorations on the right upper and lower posterior teeth. Intraoral examination revealed poorly fitting metal crown margins. Defective prostheses were removed, and provisional restorations were provided to stabilize the mandibular position. Optical impressions and the maxillomandibular relationship were recorded using an intraoral scanner, and monolithic zirconia crowns were fabricated using CAD/CAM technology for complete veneer crown restorative treatment. Occlusal examination revealed an improvement in occlusal force distribution at initial examination (right side: 33.5%, left side: 66.5%) after placement of the zirconia crowns (right side: 54.9%, left side: 45.1%). Occlusal force and occlusal force distribution area also showed an increasing trend. The Oral Health Impact Profile short form (OHIP-14) score decreased from 7 points at initial examination to 0 points after prosthodontic treatment. Appropriate diagnosis and treatment planning contributed to the increased occlusal force and balanced occlusal force distribution. Therefore, the present case indicates the potential of monolithic zirconia crowns to achieve both esthetic and stable functional outcomes.