Translucency Analysis of Monolithic CAD/CAM Ceramic Materials at Different Thicknesses.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine how Translucency Parameter (TP) of three different monolithic CAD/CAM ceramic blocks, changes in relation to thickness, compare the TP to natural enamel and standardize the thickness for a future study.
Methods: 1 specimen for each thickness (0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9 , and 1.1 mm) were cut from VITA Enamic HT, e.max CAD HT, and VITA Blocks Mark II CAD/CAM blocks. All the ceramics had an A2 shade. The TP parameter were measured with a spectrophotometer over a white and black background with a 10° Geometry. The data was analysed with 2-way ANOVA and Fisher post-hoc test.
Results: Material and thickness influenced the TP, except at the comparison with the thicknesses of 0.9 mm with 1.1 mm. At these two thicknesses no statistical change was noted. With VITA Blocks and e.max having the highest amount of difference between the materials and VITA Enamic having intermediate values between the other two materials.
Conclusions: The materials which most closely resemble the TP of human enamel were VITA Enamic and VITA Blocks Mark II, while e.max presented the highest translucency. For a more detailed study more preparations are necessary in addition with a precise protocol to measure TP.