Introduction: Good adaptation is essential for predictable clinical performance of all-ceramic restorations. Most methods used in studying adaptation of all ceramic restorations are invasive and only provide limited information about the overall adaptation of all ceramic restorations. Micro CT can help in overall assessment of adaptation of all-ceramic crowns.
Materials and methods: 54 extracted human maxillary premolars were copy milled from a standardized preparation using a Celay machine. 3 groups of all-ceramic crowns were made from high purity alumina copings and compatible veneering porcelain. The first group was made of Procera all ceramc copings (Procera). The second and third groups were made of Vita in-ceram 2000 Al cubes copings for cerec-in-lab at 50 µ ( Cerec 50) and 100µ ( Cerec 100) respectively . Crowns were scanned using a Skyscan 1072 micro CT machine prior to cementation. The resulting images were analysed using Micro CT attached software and Sigma scan pro 5 image analysis.
Results: There was no significant difference (P>.05) in vertical marginal gaps; Procera (56.9±21.7µ),Cerec 50 ( 69.4±17.6µ) and Cerec 100 (60.5±18.0µ). Procera crowns showed wider gaps on the internal slope of the finish line but better occlusal adaptation.
Conclusion: Micro CT provides a detailed non-invasive method of assessing overall adaptation of all-ceramic restorations.