Fracture resistance of all-ceramic crowns placed on a preparation with a slice-formed finishing line

The purpose of this study was to determine the fracture resistance of all-ceramic crowns with a core of a zirconia ceramic, using various stabilizing oxides and luted on a preparation with a slice-formed finishing line. Ten cores made of HIPed yttrium-oxide partially stabilized zirconia (HIPed Y-TZP) and five cores of densely-sintered magnesia partially stabilized zirconia (Mg-PSZ) were made. The Mg-PSZ cores and five of the HIPed Y-TZP cores were made with a thickness of 0.2 mm. A further five cores 0.1-mm thick were made of HIPed Y-TZP. All 15 cores were then veneered with a feldspar ceramic and luted onto a stylized steel master die model with a slice-formed finishing line. The specimens were then loaded until fracture occurred. The HIPed Y-TZP specimens with the 0.2 mm core exhibited significantly higher fracture resistance than the Mg-PSZ specimens (P = 0.004) and the HIPed Y-TZP specimens with the 0.1 mm core (P = 0.001). The fracture resistance of the Mg-PSZ specimens was significantly (P = 0.015) higher than that of the HIPed Y-TZP specimens with the 0.1 mm core. The fracture resistance determined was equal or superior to reported values for bite forces and all-ceramic crowns. Thus, it seems likely that the type of restorations evaluated have the potential for successful use on a slice-formed preparation. However, long-term studies are essential in order to assess the performance of this ceramic system in a clinical context.