• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the marginal and mesial fitness of zirconia single copings and 3-unit fixed partial dentures (FPDs) manufactured with an identical model. Materials and Methods: An epoxy model in which the maxillary right 2nd premolar is lost and maxillary 1st premolar and 2nd molar are formed as abutments was manufactured and scanned by using a laser scanner. A ten units of zirconia single copings were manufactured for maxillary 1st premolar and 2nd molar, respectively and the same number of 3-unit FPDs were manufactured. For the measurements of fitness, the manufactured silicone replicas were divided into four parts and the fitness were measured by digital microscope at measurement points (P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5) of each plane. The measured gaps were classified into three categories: marginal gap (MG, P1), axial gap (AG, average of P2 and P3), occlusal gap (OG, average of P4 and P5). Results: The ranges of MG, AG and OG for single copings were 18.47 - 40.54 ${\mu}m$, 39.73 - 73.61 ${\mu}m$ and 116.90 - 134.69 ${\mu}m$, respectively. The ranges of MG, AG and OG for 3-unit FPDs were 45.95 - 87.44 ${\mu}m$, 23.78 - 57.00 ${\mu}m$ and 99.89 - 131.06 ${\mu}m$, respectively. Conclusion: The result of the study shows that the MGs for 3-unit FPDs were higher than those of single copings, though they are within the range of clinical acceptance, indicating that the use of more homogeneous zirconia block and modification of sintering processes are needed to ensure the prevention of increase of gap in 3-unit FPDs.