Comparative analysis of zirconia and lithium disilicate all-ceramic crowns manufactured using digital versus digital-conventional technique

Abstract

Case presentation: This study aimed at presenting and evaluating two manufacturing technologies and two types of restorative materials (3rd generation zirconia oxide and lithium disilicate glass ceramic) for the rehabilitation of the upper anterior teeth. The outcomes were evaluated in terms of aesthetics, marginal adaptation, technologies and materials used, working protocol, time and costs. Materials and method: A model with ideal preparations for the six upper anteriors was used in order to manufacture three zirconia oxide single units (Zirtooth Multi A2, Hass Corp) using the full digital protocol (1st hemiarch) and three lithium disilicate single units (Amber Press, LT, A2, Hass Corp) using the combined digital-analog protocol (2nd hemiarch). After fabrication, final layers of stains and glaze were applied for a better individualisation of the final restorations. The six restorations were evaluated on a printed model in order to asses the marginal fit, the final aesthetics, the optical characteristics and the elements of macro and microtexture. Discussions/Conclusions: The two materials used together with the two different manufacturing techniques have produced very similar results, in accordance with the naturalness of teeth.