Evaluation of fit and accuracy of single crowns fabricated from self-glazed zirconia compared with milled zirconia.

Statement Of Problem: Self-glazed zirconia is a novel dental material fabricated with a combination of subtractive and additive manufacturing techniques. However, how the marginal and internal fit of these restorations compare with conventionally fabricated zirconia is unclear.

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the marginal and internal fit and internal accuracy of single crowns made from self-glazed zirconia compared with those made from milled zirconia.

Material And Methods: A metal die was scanned, and a crown was designed using a computer-aided-design program. The computer-aided-manufacturing milling method (conventional technique) was used to produce 10 zirconia crowns, and additive manufacturing was used to produce 10 self-glazed zirconia crowns. Internal and marginal fit measurements were made by using the silicone replica method; marginal fit was also measured by using the direct-view technique. An independent t test was performed to compare both types of crowns and test the null hypothesis (α=.05).

Results: For the occlusal, internal, and total mean distances, significant differences were found between self-glazed and milled zirconia crowns (P<.001). With the direct-view technique, a significant difference (P=.004) between the 2 techniques was found in the marginal area. The accuracy for the axial and occlusal areas combined for self-glazed and milled zirconia was 27 μm and 49 μm, respectively.

Conclusions: Both techniques produced crowns with clinically acceptable marginal and internal fit. The self-glazed zirconia crowns had higher accuracy of internal fit than milled zirconia crowns.