Computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing of zirconia all-ceramic crowns：stability and biocompatibility

Li Shuang

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2015.34.016

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Zirconia al-ceramic crowns have been widely accepted in the clinic because of its excelent mechanical properties, biocompatibility and aesthetic performance. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy of zirconia al-ceramic crowns prepared using computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturingversusconventional method. METHODS:Eighty-seven patients who used zirconia al-ceramic crowns, consisting of 56 males and 31 females, aged 21-56 years were included in this study. Among these patients, 42 patients were subjected to tooth repair with zirconia al-ceramic crowns prepared using computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing technique (experimental group) and 45 patients received tooth repair with zirconia al-ceramic crowns prepared using conventional method (control group). At the end of the 6th month after zirconia al-ceramic crown repair, denture surface texture, the color of the restoration, anatomic appearance of prosthesis, marginal integrity, denture health and patient’s satisfaction were investigated between the experimental and control groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After repair with zirconia al-ceramic crowns, patient satisfaction rate of the color of the restoration and total patient satisfaction rate in the experimental group were significantly greater than in the control group (100%vs. 78%, 95%vs. 82%,P < 0.05). The anatomic appearance of prosthesis in the experimental group was superior to that in the control group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in denture surface texture, the color of the restoration, and marginal integrity between the experimental and control groups (P > 0.05). Discoloration, cracks and chipping and other adverse reactions were observed in neither experimental group nor control group. These findings suggest that the zirconia al-ceramic crowns prepared using computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing technique exhibit good aesthetic performance, stability and biocompatibility.