Compatibility of ceramic-ceramic systems for fixed prosthodontics

This study evaluated dilatometric data for predicting ceramic-ceramic compatibility for porcelains fired on central incisor copings (n = 72) of high expansion colored IPS-Empress porcelain. Nine body porcelains (leucite 0 wt% to 51 wt%) were each fired onto eight copings. Cracks were detected at 10 x magnification using transilluminating light. Failure was defined as the presence of at least one crack and probability of failure (Pf) as the ratio of failed to total crowns. Thermal contraction coefficients (alpha) were determined using four bars of each porcelain following the protocol of ISO 9693. Absolute differences in thermal contraction, magnitude of delta alpha, between core and test porcelains were plotted against Pf and curve fit. Significant differences in alpha were found among the porcelains tested (ANOVA, 95% Tukey); the alpha values ranged from 7.92 to 17.83 x 10(-6)/degree C; Pf ranged from 0 to 1. Compatible porcelains (no cracks during any firing of all eight crowns) had magnitude of delta alpha values less than 1 x 10(-6)/degree C. Absolute values (magnitude of delta alpha) were surprisingly predictive of Pf given the very different cooling rates (dilatometry versus dental lab) and the relatively complex crown shape. Standard dilatometry may be useful for predicting the compatibility of ceramic-ceramic systems. Three porcelains, IPS-Empress dentin, Duceram, and Will-Ceram were successfully used for veneering IPS Empress cores.