Marginal Integrity of CAD/CAM Ceramic Crowns Using Two Different Finish Line Designs

Abstract

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> Research on evaluation of crowns made by the latest contemporary dental computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems for their marginal adaptation is scarce. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the marginal integrity of crowns fabricated by the latest Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramic (CEREC) system using 2 different finish line preparation designs: chamfer and shoulder. <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> Typodont teeth were divided equally into 2 groups, A and B. The teeth were prepared for full coverage crowns with a shoulder (group A) and chamfer (group B) finish line design. An experienced prosthodontist prepared all crown preparations. Evaluation of 6 sites per sample was completed by 2 calibrated, experienced prosthodontists using the modified US Public Health Services (USPHS) criteria. The descriptive statistics and <i>Z</i>-test were used to evaluate the results. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 180 teeth were included in the study (90 teeth in each group). Only 2 crowns in group A and 1 crown in group B were clinically unacceptable. There was no statistical significance (<i>p</i> = 0.282) between the 2 groups regarding finish line design. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The CEREC system provides clinically acceptable crowns and can safely be utilized in dental treatment. Therefore, CAD/CAM restorations could be considered as a safe treatment modality by dental professionals.