A comparative study of porcelain repair materials

Intra-oral fracture of metal-ceramic restorations sometimes occurs when clinical and laboratory techniques have been inadequate. Removal and refabrication of the prosthesis is the ideal solution, but may not always be practical. Recently, several products have been marketed for expediting the repair of fractured restorations in the mouth. This study compared the effectiveness of three of these repair systems (Super-C, Command Ultrafine and 3M Porcelain Repair Kits) with a control group of porcelain-fused-to-metal specimens. Measurement of failure load of each material being tested was carried out in compression using a universal testing apparatus and a specially designed jig. Each experimental and control group contained ten specimens. Each material was tested individually for repairs against metal and against porcelain. A comparison of the failure load values indicated that the control samples gave the highest mean value of 881.6 +/- 192.9 N, while that of Super-C against metal was the lowest at 385.4 +/- 102.4 N. The Command Ultrafine Repair Kit was the strongest of the repair systems studied.