Fit of e.max Crowns Fabricated Using Conventional and CAD/CAM Technology: A Comparative Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the fit accuracy of e.max crowns by investigating marginal and internal gaps.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In experiment 1, 60 e.max computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacture (CAD/CAM) crowns were manufactured. The crowns were fabricated using optical scanning of artificial teeth (Op group) or scanning of a plaster model following a silicone impression (M group). Cement space settings of 90, 120, and 150 μm were applied. Marginal and internal crown gaps were compared among six conditions (Op90, Op120, Op150, M90, M120, M150). In experiment 2, e.max CAD crowns from the Op group (CADop group) and the M group (CADm group) were compared with e.max Press crowns (Press group) by measuring marginal and internal gaps of the crowns using Scheffe multiple comparison test. The level of significance was set at .05.

RESULTS: In experiment 1, the marginal gap of the Op90 group was significantly higher than that of the Op120 and Op150 groups. The marginal gap of the M90 group was significantly higher than those of the M120 and M150 groups, and the internal gap of the M90 group was significantly lower than that of the M150 group. Although there was no statistically significant difference in marginal gap among the three groups, the internal gap of the CADm group was significantly higher than the Press group.

CONCLUSION: Although the variation in cement space settings and fabrication techniques affected accuracy, e.max CAD crowns fabricated using optical scanning of melamine teeth achieved a clinically acceptable fit.