Marginal fit of endocrowns fabricated by three-dimensional printing and the conventional method: An study.

BACKGROUND

Marginal fit is a key factor in success of prosthetic restorations. This study aimed to assess and compare the marginal fit of endocrowns fabricated by three-dimensional (3D) printing and the conventional method.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This in vitro, experimental study evaluated 20 endocrowns, of which 10 were fabricated by 3D printing and 10 were fabricated by the conventional wax-up technique. The marginal gap was measured at 8 points under a stereomicroscope. The results were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, paired -test, independent -test, and one-way analysis of variance (α = 0.05).

RESULTS

The mean marginal gap was maximum at the distal point, and minimum at the buccal point for the conventionally fabricated endocrowns with an overall mean marginal gap of 99.67 ± 4.59 μm. The mean marginal gap was maximum at the mesiobuccal and minimum at the buccal point before pressing (overall mean of 103.92 ± 2.19 μm) before pressing, and maximum at the distobuccal and minimum at the mesiobuccal point after pressing (overall mean of 117.67 ± 2.87 μm). According to paired -test, the mean marginal gap of endocrowns fabricated by 3D printing significantly increased after pressing at all 8 points and also in general, compared with before pressing ( < 0.001). Furthermore, the mean marginal gap at all points was significantly greater in endocrowns fabricated by 3D printing compared with those fabricated by the conventional method (independent -test, < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Within the limitations of this study, the results showed that endocrowns fabricated by the conventional method had significantly superior marginal fit than those fabricated by 3D printing.