Clinical Performance of Posterior Indirect Resin Composite Restorations with the Proximal Box Elevation Technique: A Prospective Clinical Trial up to 3 Years.

Purpose: The study evaluated the clinical performance of partial indirect resin composite (PIRC) restorations with "proximal box elevation" (PBE) placed in molars.

Materials and methods: Sixty-three patients received 80 posterior PIRC (SR Nexco, Ivoclar Vivadent) restorations. Large posterior defects with cuspal loss and deep cervical margins were included in the study. PBE was performed prior to preparation and impression making. Two independent observers evaluated the restorations using the FDI criteria (scores 1-5) for esthetic, functional, and biological properties. Patients were recalled at 6 months and 1, 2, and 3 years. Overall success rates were calculated (Kaplan-Meier analysis) and compared (log-rank tests) according to baseline variables. The impact of the baseline variables on the failure of the restorations was analyzed (multiple proportional Cox regression).

Results: Seventy-nine (98.7%), 69 (88.4%), 66 (92.9%), 44 (86.2%) and 45 (91.8%) PIRCs completed their follow up at baseline, 6 months, and 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively. In total, 10 failures were observed: 5 with partial loss, 4 with material chipping, and one with secondary caries, yielding an overall success rate of 87.5% and a survival rate of 93.8%, with a mean observation time of 26.5 ± 13.6 months.

Conclusions: PIRCs with PBE demonstrated a high survival rate and satisfactory esthetic properties. Failure was less likely for PIRC restorations with partial cuspal coverage (onlay) compared to full cuspal coverage (overlay).