A 2-year follow-up study of titanium crowns

In 1986, 149 patients were provided with titanium crowns. The method used for fabrication of the titanium copings involved two principles: machine duplication of models and electric discharge machining. For the veneering of the copings, Isosit was used for the first 90% of the crowns in the series, and the Dentacolor-Silicoater technique for the last 10%. Of 205 individual crowns cemented in 1986, 167 could be examined after 2 years. The crowns were rated by four independent examiners using the CDA quality evaluation system. Bleeding Index and Margin Index were also used. The Margin Integrity score was recorded as satisfactory for all crowns examined over the period studied. A vast majority of the margins were rated as excellent. Isosit (n = 145) disclosed shortcomings including fractures and substantial deteriorations of Surface and Color and of Anatomic Form. With Dentacolor as veneering material (n = 18) the results with the factors Surface and Color and Anatomic Form were still rated satisfactory after 2 years, and no fractures of the veneering material were registered. Bleeding Index and Margin Index showed comparatively small changes after 2 years.