All-ceramic crown preparations: an alternative technique

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the crown preparation dimensions produced from two different techniques of preparation for posterior all-ceramic crowns. METHODS: Twenty-four fourth year dental students undertook a course of advanced simulation training involving education in an alternative technique of preparation for a 36 all-ceramic crown. Crown preparations performed using the traditional technique were compared with an alternative technique for total occlusal convergence (TOC) and reduction difference (RD) using digital scanning and comparative software. RESULTS: Groups that spent the most time performing the alternative technique produced crown preparations with significantly lower buccolingual (BL) TOC. The training resulted in crown preparations that were closer to ideal TOC and RD measurements. CONCLUSIONS: The alternative technique of crown preparation for a posterior all-ceramic crown showed initial promise in creating a less buccolingually tapered and more ideally occlusally reduced crown preparation.