Fracture strength of zirconia monolithic crowns and metal-ceramic crowns after cyclic loading and thermocycling

Lee, Sang Min; Jeong, Hee Chan; Jeon, Young Chan

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the fracture strength of the zirconia monolithic all-ceramic crowns according to the thickness (0.5mm, 0.8mm, 1.1mm) and metal-ceramic crowns (1.0mm, 1.5mm). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twelve crowns for each of 3 zirconia crown groups were fabricated using CAD/CAM system (Kavo, Germany) and twelve crowns for each of 2 metal-ceramic crown groups were made by the conventional method. All crowns were luted to the metal dies using resin cement. Half of the specimens were exposed to thermocycling (5-55degrees C, 1 Hz) and cyclic loading (300,000 cycles, 50N). Subsequently, all crowns were mounted on the testing jig in a universal testing machine. The load was directed at the center of crown with perpendicular to the long axis of each specimen until catastrophic failure occurred. Analysis of variance and Tukey multiple comparison test (P<.05) were used for statistical analysis of all groups, and paired t-test (P<.05) was followed for statistical comparison between each groups'fracture load before and after cyclic loading.
RESULTS
1. The fracture strength of the zirconia monolithic crowns and the metal-ceramic crown increased as thickness increased (P<.05). 2. The cyclic loading and thermocycling significantly decreased the fracture strength of the zirconia monolithic crowns (P<.05). 3. The standard deviation of fracture strength of the zirconia monolithic crowns was very low.
CONCLUSION
The fracture strength of the zirconia monolithic crowns for the posterior area tends to be higher with thickness increased and 0.8mm or over in thickness is recommended to have similar or over the fracture strength of metal-ceramic crowns.