Effect of application site of definitive cement on marginal adaptation and retention of full metal crowns: An in vitro study

Abstract

Background: Hydrodynamic pressure due to excess luting agent and insufficient seating pressure prevents complete seating of restorations. Incompletely seating may lead to disturbances in occlusion and interproximal contacts, decreased retention, open margins and recurrent caries. Decreased area of application of luting agent can improve marginal fit. However, its effect on retention of the prostheses is unclear. Materials and Methods: In the in vitro study, marginal discrepancy and retention of full metal crowns were measured in 20 extracted human molars, divided into 2 groups, with a variation in application of luting agent. Results: Test statistics showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups, both in retention and marginal discrepancy. Conclusion: Decrease in the amount and area of application of the luting agent significantly decreases the marginal discrepancy of a cemented full crown. However, it also significantly reduces the retention, due to decrease in the bonding area.