Purpose: To evaluate the effect of cavity tapering on the marginal and internal adaptation of endocrowns fabricated from two different ceramic materials.
Materials and methods: Two mandibular molar model teeth were prepared with two different cavity tapers (5 and 10 degrees). Forty endocrowns in four groups (n = 10 each) were milled using lithium disilicate and zirconiareinforced lithium silicate ceramics for each cavity taper. The marginal and internal adaptation were measured with a stereomicroscope (×30) at 18 different points. The data were statistically analyzed using independent t test (P < .05).
Results: A statistically significant difference was shown among the tested groups at 10 degrees of taper (P < .001). At 5 degrees of taper, the difference was insignificant. The greatest internal gap was observed on the pulpal floor in all tested groups.
Conclusion: All materials had clinically acceptable internal and marginal gaps; however, lithium disilicate ceramic had significantly better adaptation at 10 degrees of taper.
