Clinical Evaluation of Additive and Subtractive Onlay Restorations

This prospective, randomized, split-mouth clinical trial is designed to evaluate the clinical performance of onlay restorations fabricated by two different digital manufacturing techniques-additive manufacturing (3D printing) and subtractive manufacturing (CAD/CAM milling)-in vital posterior teeth.

Each participant will receive two onlay restorations: one produced by CAD/CAM milling using hybrid ceramic blocks (GC Cerasmart 270) and one produced by 3D printing with a biocompatible permanent resin (Bego VarseoSmile TriniQ). The restorations will be placed in contralateral posterior teeth, allowing direct intra-individual comparison under identical oral conditions. Randomization will determine which tooth receives which manufacturing method.

The primary outcome of the study is marginal adaptation, assessed according to the Fédération Dentaire Internationale (FDI) World Dental Federation criteria. Secondary outcomes include surface quality, anatomical form, functional stability, postoperative sensitivity, color match, and biological compatibility. Clinical evaluations will be performed at baseline (1 week) and at 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months.

To minimize bias, participants and clinical evaluators will remain blinded to the type of restoration applied. Calibration sessions will be conducted for all evaluators to ensure consistency and reliability of outcome assessment. An independent statistician, blinded to group allocation, will perform the statistical analyses.

A total of 29 participants are expected to be enrolled, based on power analysis using G*Power software, which indicated that this sample size provides 85% power with a 95% confidence level. Inclusion criteria consist of adults aged 18-84 with vital posterior teeth requiring onlay restorations, without systemic disease or active periodontal pathology. Teeth with pulp vitality confirmed by thermal or electrical testing and with moderate structural loss suitable for onlay restorations will be included. Exclusion criteria include teeth with previous endodontic treatment, advanced periodontal disease, or a history of full-coverage prosthetic restoration.

All procedures will follow standardized clinical protocols, including tooth preparation, digital intraoral scanning, design with CAD software, manufacturing with either milling or 3D printing, and adhesive cementation. Adverse events such as restoration failure, pulp complications, or allergic reactions to materials will be documented and reported according to regulatory requirements.

This study is expected to provide robust, long-term clinical evidence comparing the performance of additively and subtractively manufactured onlay restorations, addressing a current gap in the literature. The results will contribute to evidence-based clinical decision-making in digital restorative dentistry and support the development of guidelines for material and technique selection.

Inclusion criteria

Participant-Level Criteria

• Adults aged 18-84 years
• No active periodontal disease (probing depth ≤ 3 mm, no clinical attachment loss)
• No parafunctional habits such as bruxism, clenching, or foreign object chewing
• Willingness to attend regular follow-up visits during the study period
• Adequate oral hygiene status
• No history of systemic disease or medically stable condition if present
• No history of similar restorative procedures involving the target teeth Tooth-Level Criteria
• Vital posterior teeth (premolars or molars) confirmed by thermal or electric pulp testing; teeth requiring endodontic treatment or with necrosis will be excluded
• Permanent posterior teeth located in functional occlusion (premolar or molar region)
• Teeth with moderate structural loss suitable for onlay restorations, including mesio-occlusal (MO), disto-occlusal (DO), or mesio-occluso-distal (MOD) cavities with partial crown loss but sufficient remaining tooth structure not requiring full coverage
• Periodontally healthy teeth with no mobility, no clinical attachment loss, and probing depth ≤ 3 mm
• Teeth that can be matched in contralateral quadrants to allow split-mouth design (structurally and clinically comparable teeth)
• Teeth free from cracks, fractures, or internal resorption; supporting tissues without structural defects that may compromise restoration success
• Teeth with clearly defined preparation margins located in enamel or sound dentin; subgingival margins extending deep into the sulcus will not be included
• Teeth without previous extensive prosthetic restorations (crowns, inlays/onlays, or implant-supported restorations)
• Opposing natural teeth in stable occlusal contact with the restored tooth

Exclusion criteria

• Teeth with pulp necrosis or a history of endodontic treatment (previous root canal therapy or non-vital teeth)
• Teeth with excessive tissue loss requiring full crown coverage and unsuitable for onlay restoration
• Teeth presenting with cracks, fractures, internal or external resorption, or structural defects compromising prognosis
• Advanced periodontal disease, including clinical attachment loss, furcation involvement, mobility, or probing depth > 3 mm
• Teeth with subgingival cavity margins extending deep into the gingival sulcus, increasing periodontal risk
• Teeth with a history of fixed prosthetic restorations (previous crowns, inlays/onlays, or bridge restorations)
• Teeth lacking proximal contacts due to adjacent tooth absence, leading to compromised contact stability and occlusal load distribution
• Teeth in regions with orthodontic appliances or fixed retainers that may interfere with restorative procedures or evaluation
• Opposing teeth absent or lacking stable occlusal contact with the restoration site
• Patients with systemic diseases contraindicate elective dental treatment (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, immunocompromised status)
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Patients unable or unwilling to attend scheduled follow-up visits [baseline (1 week), 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months]