Dynamic fatigue and fracture resistance of non-retentive all-ceramic full-coverage molar restorations. Influence of ceramic material and preparation design.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of preparation design, and ceramic material, masticatory fatigue and fracture resistance of non-retentive all-ceramic full-coverage restorations luted on human mandibular molars.

METHODS: Full-coverage occlusal restorations were laboratory fabricated from leucite reinforced glass-ceramic (IPS Empress Esthetic) or lithium disilicate glass-ceramic (IPS e.max Press). For each ceramic material four groups with eight specimens each were randomly assigned. Groups had either a non-retentive, occlusal preparation with chamfer finishing line or straight-beveled finishing line and the preparation was either completely within enamel or within dentin with a finishing line in enamel. Restorations were adhesively luted to the teeth using composite resin. After storage in water for 1 week specimens were cyclic loaded 600,000 times with a weight of 10kg and additionally, thermocycled 3500 times (5/55 degrees C) in a masticatory simulator. Surviving specimens were loaded until, fracture in a universal testing machine. Statistical analysis was done using three-way ANOVA.

RESULTS: All specimens survived the masticatory fatigue. Mean fracture resistance ranged from 2895 to 4173N. Influence of ceramic material on fracture resistance was significant (p=0.0001). Lithium disilicate glass-ceramic restorations had higher fracture resistances than leucite reinforced glass-ceramic restorations. Different preparation designs showed no significant influence on fracture resistance (p=0.0969). The design of the finishing line did not influence the fracture resistance (p=0.9461).

SIGNIFICANCE: The fracture resistance of adhesively luted non-retentive full-coverage molar restorations, made of lithium disilicate or leucite reinforced glass-ceramic is promising and seems to permit clinical application.