Comparison of fracture strength after thermo-mechanical aging between provisional crowns made with CAD/CAM and conventional method.

Abstract

PURPOSEThe objectives of this study were to evaluate the fracture strength and fracture patterns of provisional crowns fabricated from different materials and techniques after receiving stress from a simulated oral condition.MATERIALS AND METHODSA monomethacrylate-based resin (Unifast Trad) and a bis-acryl-based (Protemp 4) resin were used to fabricate provisional crowns using conventional direct technique. A milled monomethacrylate resin (Brylic Solid) and a 3D-printed bis-acrylate resin (Freeprint Temp) were chosen to fabricate provisional crowns using the CAD/CAM process. All cemented provisional crowns (n=10/group) were subjected to thermal cycling (5,000 cycles at 5°–55℃) and cyclic occlusal load (100 N at 4 Hz for 100,000 cycles). Maximum force at fracture was tested using a universal testing machine.RESULTSMaximum force at fracture (mean ± SD, N) of each group was 657.87 ± 82.84 for Unifast Trad, 1125.94 ± 168.07 for Protemp4, 953.60 ± 58.88 for Brylic Solid, and 1004.19 ± 122.18 for Freeprint Temp. One-way ANOVA with Tamhane post hoc test showed that the fracture strength of Unifast Trad was statistically significantly lower than others (P<.01). No statistically significant difference was noted among other groups. For failure pattern analysis, Unifast Trad and Brylic Solid showed less damage than Protemp 4 and Freeprint Temp groups.CONCLUSIONProvisional crowns fabricated using the CAD/CAM process and the conventionally fabricated bis-acryl resins exhibited significant higher fracture strength compared to conventionally fabricated monomethacrylate resins after the aging regimen. Therefore, CAD/CAM milling and 3D printing of provisional restorations may be good alternatives for long term provisionalization.