Clinical Evaluation of CAD/CAM Metal-Ceramic Posterior Crowns Fabricated from Intraoral Digital Impressions

Purpose: The aim of this in vivo study was to evaluate the accuracy of metal-ceramic crowns fabricated using computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) in conjunction with intraoral digital impressions. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients in a general practice participated in the study. Patients were provided with crowns fabricated from digital impressions taken with an intraoral chairside scanner. Prior to crown insertion, the marginal integrity, esthetics, and occlusal and articulation contacts were evaluated using California Dental Association (CDA) criteria. The precementation space of the crowns was evaluated with the replica technique. Results: No adjustments were needed for any of the interproximal contact points. Adjustments of occlusion and articulation contacts were needed in 20% of the restorations. Clinical evaluation of the marginal integrity showed satisfactory results according to the CDA criteria. The 50 silicone replicas showed a median precementation space of 46 μm at the marginal measurement location, 94 μm at the midaxial location, and 185 μm at the centro-occlusal location. Conclusions: The precementation spaces of the crowns were within the acceptable range for CAD/CAM restorations.