title: Practice-based clinical evaluation of metal-ceramic and zirconia molar crowns: 3-year results.
abstract: This practice-based study evaluates the clinical performance of conventionally luted metal-ceramic and zirconia molar crowns fabricated with pronounced anatomical core design and a prolonged cooling period of the veneering porcelain. Fifty-three patients were treated from 07/2008 until 07/2009 with either metal-ceramic crowns (MCC) (high-noble alloy + low-fusing porcelain) or zirconia crowns (Cercon System, DeguDent, Germany). Forty-nine patients (30 women/19 men) with 100 restorations (metal-ceramic: 48/zirconia: 52, mean observational period: 36·5 ± 6 months) participated in a clinical follow-up examination and were included in the study. Time-dependent survival (in situ criteria), success (event-free restorations) and chipping rates (defects of the veneering ceramics) were calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method and analysed in relation to the crown fabrication technique, using a Cox regression model (P < 0·05). Three complete failures (metal-ceramic: 1, zirconia: 2) were recorded (survival rate after 3 years: metal-ceramic: 97·6%, zirconia: 95·2%). Of the metal-ceramic restorations, 90·9% remained event-free (two ceramic fractures, one endodontic treatment), whereas the success rate for the zirconia was 86·8% (two ceramic fractures, one endodontic treatment, one secondary caries). No significant differences in survival (P = 0·53), success (P = 0·49) and ceramic fracture rates (P = 0·57) were detected. The combination of a pronounced anatomical core design and a modified firing of the veneering porcelain for the fabrication of zirconia molar crowns resulted in a 3-year survival, success and chipping rate comparable to MCC.
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, Hanau, Germany. rinke@ihr-laecheln.com
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rinke
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schäfer
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lange
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gersdorff
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roediger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000009:adverse effects; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003776:Dental Porcelain / Q000009:adverse effects; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design / Q000592:standards*; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016876:Metal Ceramic Alloys / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015040:Zirconium / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D003722:Dental Alloys; D003764:Dental Materials; D016876:Metal Ceramic Alloys; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D015040:Zirconium; C028541:zirconium oxide