The feasibility of castable ceramic material in dental bridge construction

This study was to investigate the feasibility of dental bridges constructed with castable ceramic material (Dicor). A dental bridge model was designed similar to the clinical situation. The marginal fit of Dicor crown and a three-unit bridge was evaluated and no statistically significant differences in marginal openings between Dicor crowns and bridges were determined except the mesial and distal end surfaces of the bridge works. The fracture strengths of different thicknesses of Dicor test bars were measured with a three-point bending technique in a jig mounted in a universal testing machine. The results revealed that the bridge design with the thickest (6mm) connector and the shortest (8 mm) width of the pontic had the highest fracture resistance. In addition, pores with size up to 50 microns were disclosed in the fractured interface. The optimal design of Dicor bridge is determined according to the results of this study along with the clinical trial.