In Vitro evaluation of the wear of primary tooth enamel against different ceramic and composite resin materials

Background: Although there are several studies on permanent tooth wear caused by dental materials, studies concerning primary teeth are limited. Aim: To evaluate the wear of primary tooth enamel against different ceramic and composite resin materials. Settings and Design: In vitro study. Materials and Methods: We assessed five materials (n = 10 per group): monolithic zirconia (group Z), lithium disilicate glass ceramic (group L), resin nanoceramic (group R), nanohybrid composite resin (group C), and primary tooth enamel (group E). The mesiopalatal cusps of primary maxillary second molars were used as antagonists. Wear tests were performed in a dual-axis chewing simulator, and the volume loss in the antagonist tooth was evaluated using a laser scanner and three-dimensional profiling system. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance with Tukey's post hoc tests (P < 0.05). Results: The maximum antagonist tooth wear was observed in group L (3.84 0.7 mm(3)), followed by groups C (3.68 0.76 mm(3)), R (3.48 0.71 mm(3)), Z (2.66 0.65 mm(3)), and E (1.66 0.42 mm(3)). Volume loss was significantly lesser in group Z than in groups L and C (P < 0.05), whereas there were no significant differences among groups L, C, and R. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this in vitro study, our findings suggest that zirconia should be used for full coronal coverage in primary tooth restorations because it causes lesser antagonist tooth wear than does lithium disilicate, resin nanoceramic, and nanohybrid composite resin.