Dimensional accuracy and clinical adaptation of ceramic crowns fabricated with the stereolithography technique

Abstract

Statement of problemThe stereolithography technique has been a promising method of fabricating fracture-resistant ceramic restorations efficiently. However, studies on the dimensional accuracy and clinical adaptation of ceramic crowns fabricated with the technique are lacking. PurposeThe purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the dimensional accuracy and clinical adaptation of ceramic crowns fabricated with the stereolithography technique. Material and methodsA typodont maxillary right first molar abutment tooth was scanned by using an extraoral scanner, and a crown was designed by using 3Shape Dental System CAD software. Ten ceramic crowns were fabricated with 2 different stereolithography systems, CeraFab7500 (CF) alumina and CSL150 (CL) zirconia, and a conventional computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing system, X-MILL500 (XM) zirconia. The crowns were scanned, and the digital casts were exported. Dimensional accuracy was measured by superimposing the digital casts with the reference model by using Geomagic Qualify software. The silicone replica method was applied to measure clinical adaptation. Results were statistically analyzed by using a 1-way analysis of variance (α=.05). ResultsCeraFab7500 reported better dimensional accuracy (41 ±11 μm) than CSL150 (65 ±6 μm) or X-MILL500 (72 ±13 μm) (P<.001). No significant difference was found between the CSL150 and X-MILL500 groups (P>.05). X-MILL500 reported significantly better adaptation in the marginal, corner, and occlusal areas but inferior adaptation in the axial area compared with CeraFab7500 and CSL150 (P<.05). Significant differences were only apparent in the axial and occlusal areas between CeraFab7500 and CSL150 (P<.05). No significant difference was found in the marginal or corner area between CeraFab7500 and CSL150 (P>.05). ConclusionsBoth CeraFab7500 and CSL150 can fabricate ceramic crowns with high dimensional accuracy and marginal adaptation within clinically acceptable limits. The results indicate that the fabrication of ceramic crowns by using the stereolithography technique seems to be promising.