Comparative study of all-ceramic crowns obtained from conventional and digital impressions: clinical findings

To compare clinical aspects of all-ceramic crowns fabricated from conventional and digital impressions.

Thirty patients with 30 posterior teeth with the need of a crown restoration were selected. Zirconia-based ceramic crowns were made using an intraoral digital impression system (TRIOS®, 3shape) and two-step silicone impression technique. Two external blinded operators evaluated the all-ceramic crowns. Five selection items were assessed of which four were clinical: "marginal fit," "occlusal contacts," "interproximal contact points," and "primary retention." Then, the last selection item "final selection" was assessed when the operators considering all the variables had to select which of the digital or conventional crown had the best clinical conditions. Data was analyzed using Kappa index test and the Pearson's chi-square test (α = 0.05).

For the items marginal fit and interproximal contact points, moderate agreement between the two operators was described and significant differences were found between the two study groups. Conversely, for the variables primary retention and occlusal contacts, the agreement between the operators was fair and no significant differences were found. For the final selection, a substantial agreement was reached between the two operators and significant differences were found between the two groups (p < 0.05).

In most cases and in a significant way, the digital crowns had better clinical conditions according to both evaluators. The digital crowns were statistically superior for the interproximal contact points and marginal fit. For the variables occlusal contacts and primary retention, no difference between the two groups was observed.

Digital intraoral impressions can be used for manufacturing ceramic crowns, with the same or better clinical results as conventional impressions.