The findings in the present study suggest that in-office digital impressions and subsequent computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) fabrication of ceramic crowns could result in marginal and internal fit similar to that of hot-pressed all-ceramic crowns.
SUMMARYThe present in vitro study concerns determination of the pre-cementation gap width of all-ceramic crowns made using an in-office digital-impression technique and subsequent computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) production. Two chairside video camera systems were used: the Lava Oral scanner and Cadent's iTero scanner. Digital scans were made of a first molar typodont tooth that was suitably prepared for an all-ceramic crown. The digital impressions were sent via the Internet to commercial dental laboratories, where the crowns were made. Also, an impression of the typodont tooth was made, poured, and scanned in order to evaluate the pre-cementation gap of crowns produced from scanning stone dies. These methods and systems were evaluated by creating replicas of the intermediate space using an addition-cured silicone, and the gap widths were determined using a measuring microscope. Hot-pressed leucite-reinforced glassceramic crowns were selected as a reference. The mean value for the marginal measuring points of the control was 170 lm, and the values for all the evaluated crowns ranged from 107 to 128 lm. Corresponding figures for the internal measuring points were 141-210 lm and 115-237 lm, respectively. Based on the findings in the present study, an in-office digital-impression technique can be used to fabricate CAD/CAM ceramic single crowns with a marginal and internal accuracy that is on the same level as that of a conventional hot-pressed glass-ceramic crown. In the pre-