Micro-CT analysis of 3D printed provisional crowns fitting

BACKGROUND: The provisional crowns (PR) play an important role during the course of fixed prosthesis treatment. The fitting of PR varies and depends on various factors. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the marginal and internal fit of PR produced by three-dimensional (3D) printing technique and to compare those with PR made by the milling technique by using micro computed tomography (mu CT) on three commonly used finish line designs. METHOD: Ninety study models were made using metal die of #14 tooth (i.e. maxillary 1st premolar molar) prepared for full veneer crown with three different finish line chamfer (C), rounded shoulder (RS) and rounded shoulder with bevel (RSB). PR was fabricated on each study model, using milling (MiL group, n = 45), and 3D printing technique (3D-P group, n = 45). Marginal and internal fit of each study model was measured by micro computed tomography, at 7 Zones Pr-1- Pr-7 on each finish line. Recorded data were statistically analysed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and using Dunnett t-Test (p > 0.05). RESULTS: The mean gap at margins was minimum for provisional crowns in 3D-P group in any finish line with minimum in rounded shoulder with bevel at zone Pr-1 30.9 +/- 5.3 and at zone Pr-7 32.7 +/- 5.3. In the axial region, i.e. zone Pr-2, the smallest gap was recorded in the 3D-P group and in the occlusal region, for zone Pr-3, 4 and 5, the maximum gap was recorded in the MiL group. CONCLUSION: The provisional crowns fabricated by 3D printed technique have better marginal and internal fit than the provisional crowns made by milling technique.