A comparative evaluation of wear of enamel caused by ceramics with different fusion temperatures

Dental ceramics are the most used esthetic fixed Prosthodontic restorative material today. However, dentists remain suspicious about their potential abrasivity. Lower-fusing ceramic materials developed, are claimed to be wear friendly. This study was conducted to compare the wear of enamel of extracted teeth against one conventionally used ceramic VMK-95 (fusing temperature 930 °C) and two new lower-fusing ceramics-Omega 900 and Finesse with fusing temperatures 900 and 760 °C respectively, used for metal-ceramic restorations. Metal disks were prepared from ceramic alloy and divided into three groups of 10 disks each on which VMK-95, Omega 900 and Finesse ceramics were applied respectively. Ceramic disks and tooth specimen were mounted on custom-made wear simulator and subjected to predefined masticatory test. Each tooth specimen was profiled by laser triangulation sensor before and after masticatory test. Difference in height was calculated. The results showed that mean loss of height of tooth was least against Finesse (0.3431 + 0.0177 mm) followed by Omega 900 (0.4076 + 0.0135 mm) and VMK-95 (0.6177 + 0.014 mm). Statistical analysis revealed statistically significant difference between VMK-95 & Omega 900 and VMK-95 & Finesse. The difference in loss of height of tooth against Finesse & Omega 900 is statistically insignificant (P < 0.001). The results of this study indicate that lower-fusing dental ceramics cause less wear of opposing enamel.