Three-dimensional analysis of marginal and internal fit of copings fabricated with polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) and zirconia.

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare and analyze the three-dimensional marginal and internal fit of PEKK and zirconia copings.

Methods: Two acrylic models of the right maxillary canine, first molar were fabricated as master dies and duplicated by one-step dual viscosity impressions. Five stone replicas from each model were digitized with a blue-light scanner and copings were machined from Pekkton and Zirconia blanks. The inner surface of all the copings and two original acrylic models were digitized by a highly accurate optical scanner. By superimposing the digitized coping data with the CAD-reference die three-dimensionally, visual fit-discrepancies were drawn by calculating the root mean square (RMS) and visualized on a color-difference map. Each calculated RMS-value was statistically analyzed by 3-way ANOVA. In addition, Student's t-test was conducted in order to verify the significance (α=.05) of fit-discrepancies based on the type of abutment tooth and the materials.

Results: Mean RMS-values for marginal fit (internal fit) ranged from 51.64±1.5 (36.12±1.34) to 69.62±8.11 (41.6±1.63)μm. Differences in marginal fit (canine: P=.001; molar: P=.047) and internal fit (canine: P=.017; molar: P=.046) were statistically significant. The results of the 3-way ANOVA showed statistically significant differences in the RMS values of the two groups for the material (P<.001), the types of the abutment tooth (P<.001), and the measured region (P<.001).

Conclusions: The marginal and internal fit of both PEKK and zirconia copings of both canine and molar were within the clinically acceptable range. However, the PEKK presented better fitness compared with the zirconia.