Objectives: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate various core bui
ld-up and luting materials regarding their effect on crack formation of all
-ceramic crowns.
Methods: Fifty-six freshly extracted sound human third molars were prepared
according to a standardized procedure obtaining a circular shoulder of 1.5
mm with all margins located in dentin. Sixty percent of the dentin volume
were removed and restored with totally bonded build-up composite resins or
resin-modified glass ionomer cements (RMGIC) or compomers. Cast IPS-Empress
caps were manufactured and luted with the different materials. For each ma
terial group, the volumes of the core build-ups and of the luting cements w
ere determined. The caps were examined for cracks after 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 m
onths storage in 0.9% saline solution at 37 degrees C.
Results: The tested groups revealed no major differences in the percentage
of the core build-ups and in the volume of the luting cements. After 12 mon
ths only the group with composite resin build-up and luting showed no crack
formation. RMGIC/compomer build-up or RMGIC/compomer luting always resulte
d in cracking of the caps.
Conclusions: Within the limits of this study it can be concluded that the h
ygroscopic expansion of RMGIC/compomer materials led to failure of all-cera
mic crowns, when the materials are used for both core build-up or adhesive
bonding. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.