Marginal adaptation of titanium frameworks produced by CAD/CAM techniques

This study evaluated the Digitizing Computer System (DCS Production) for computer-controlled fabrication of titanium copings. The three-dimensional shape of the crown preparations was acquired through micropalpation with a contact digitizer on the master cast. In this in vitro study the marginal fit of computer-machined titanium frameworks for veneered crowns was assessed using scanning electron microscopy. Measurement of the marginal gap between the framework and the tooth was performed along the entire length of the finish line. The evaluation was based on 1,475 individual measurements on 10 test specimens. The mean values of marginal fit for the individual crowns ranged from 21.2 +/- 14.6 microns to 81.6 +/- 25.1 microns. The mean value for all crowns was 47.0 +/- 31.5 microns.