J Korean Acad Prosthodont.  2001 Dec;39(6):641-658.

FRACTURE STRENGTH AND MARGINAL FIT OF IN-CERAM, COPY-MILLED IN-CERAM, AND IPS EMPRESS 2 ALL-CERAMIC BRIDGES

• Hwang JW
• Yang JH
• Lee SH

Abstract

All-ceramic restorations have become an attractive alternative to porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. In-Ceram, and more recently IPS Empress 2 were introduced as a new all-ceramic system for single crowns and 3-unit fixed partial dentures. But their strength and marginal fit are still an important issue. This study evaluated the fracture resistance and marginal fit of three systems of 3 unit all-ceramic bridge fabricated on prepared maxillary anterior resin teeth in vitro. The 3 all-ceramic bridge systems were: (1) a glass-infiltrated, sintered alumina system (In-Ceram) fabricated conventionally, (2) the same system with copy-milled alumina cores (copy-milled In-Ceram), (3) a heat pressed, lithium disilicate reinforced glass-ceramic system (IPS Empress 2). Ten bridges of each system with standardized design of framework were fabricated. All specimens of each system were compressed at 55degree at the palatal surface of pontic until catastrophic fracture occurred. Another seven bridges of each system were fabricated with standard method. All of the bridge-die complexes were embedded in epoxy resin and sectioned buccolingually and mesiodistally. The absolute marginal discrepancy was measured with stereomicroscope at x50 power. The following results were obtained: 1. There was no significant difference in the fracture strength among the 3 systems studied. 2. The Weibull modulus of copy-milled In-Ceram was higher than that of In-Ceram and IPS Empress 2 bridges. 3. Copy-milled In-Ceram (112micrometer) exhibited significantly greater marginal discrepancy than In-Ceram (97micrometer), and IPS Empress 2 (94micrometer at P=0.05. 4. The lingual surfaces of the ceramic crowns showed smaller marginal discrepancies than mesial and distal points. There was no significant difference between teeth (incisor, canine) at P=0.05. 5. All-ceramic bridges of three systems appeared to exhibit sufficient initial strength and acceptable marginal fit values to allow clinical application.

MeSH Terms

Aluminum Oxide
Ceramics
Crowns
Denture, Partial, Fixed
Hot Temperature
Lithium
Tooth
Aluminum Oxide
Ceramics
Lithium