Evaluation of a one-piece milled zirconia post and core with different post-and-core systems: An in vitro study.
BACKGROUND
One-piece milled zirconia posts and cores present an esthetic option as foundation restorations for ceramic crowns. To date, dimensional fit and load capacity of 1-piece zirconia posts and cores have not been determined.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of fit of milled zirconia posts and cores and to compare the shear strength with other post-and-core systems.


METHODS
Eighty-five maxillary central incisors and canines received endodontic treatment and were divided into 5 groups (n=17) as follows: cast gold post and core (Au) as control, 1-piece milled zirconia post and core (Zr), prefabricated zirconia post with heat-pressed ceramic core (Zr/Cer), titanium post and composite resin core (Ti), and combined fiber/zirconia post with composite resin core (Fiber/Zr). The posts and cores were cemented with dual-polymerized composite resin cement (Multilink). Zirconia copings were made for each specimen, cemented, and loaded to failure. Fracture loads and modes of failure were recorded. Fracture loads were compared with a linear model. Differences in the mean marginal gap distance between the post-and-core patterns and the adjusted milled zirconia posts and cores were analyzed with a paired t test (alpha=.05).


RESULTS
A significant difference was found in the marginal gap distance of group Zr (P<.001), compared with the marginal gap distance of the acrylic resin patterns. Mean loads to failure were highest for the Fiber/Zr group in comparison with custom-made milled zirconia posts and cores (P<.001).


CONCLUSIONS
All systems evaluated presented sufficient mean load-to-failure values for anterior tooth restorations, including the recently developed 1-piece milled zirconia post and core.
Bittner
Nurit
N
Division of Prosthodontics, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, New York, NY, USA. nb2203@columbia.edu
Hill
Thomas
T
Randi
Anthony
A
D003481:Cuspid; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D006047:Gold Alloys; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor; D011176:Post and Core Technique; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting; D019279:Resin Cements; D033081:Shear Strength; D014025:Titanium; D015019:Yttrium; D015040:Zirconium
D006047:Gold Alloys; D019279:Resin Cements; C502351:multilink adhesive system; C499362:yttria stabilized tetragonal zirconia; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D015019:Yttrium; D015040:Zirconium; D014025:Titanium