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Effect of Sintering on the Translucency of CAD-CAM Lithium Disilicate Restorations

Now online in the Journal of Prosthodontics, an in vitro study co-authored by ACP members Carlos A. Jurado DDS, MS and Kelvin I. Afrashtehfar DDS, MSc, Dr, FDS RCS, FRCD(C).

Although companies manufacturing lithium disilicate claim that their products have good translucency, minimal independent data are available comparing newer dental ceramics available in the market. The aim of this study was to evaluate the translucency degree of pre and fully sintered chairside CAD–CAM lithium disilicate crowns after optional, required, and additional firing processes.

One hundred and five maxillary left central incisor crowns manufactured by three different CAD–CAM lithium disilicate brands shade A1 were assigned into groups based on firing process. Brands tested were Straumann n!ce, Amber Mill, and IPS e.max CAD. The translucency of all crowns was evaluated with a color imaging spectrophotometer.

The results of this study showed that the translucency of the chairside CAD–CAM crowns for the maxillary left central incisor varied according to the ceramic brand and the number of firing processes provided. Fully sintered lithium disilicate Straumann n!ce with no in-office sintering process displayed the lowest translucency value, whereas the highest translucency values were provided by IPS e.max CAD with one and two sintering processes.

Clinicians should be aware that repeating sintering processes may cause significant changes in the optical properties of dental ceramics, and this should be considered before providing ceramic restorations in the esthetic zone.

Jurado, CA, Afrashtehfar, KI, Hyer, J, Alhotan, A. Effect of sintering on the translucency of CAD–CAM lithium disilicate restorations: A comparative in vitro study. J Prosthodont. 2023; 1– 6. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopr.13644

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