Effect of the infrastructure material on the failure behavior of prosthetic crowns

Objectives To evaluate the effect of infrastructure (IS) material on the fracture behavior of prosthetic crowns. Methods Restorations were fabricated using a metal die simulating a prepared tooth. Four groups were evaluated: YZ-C, Y-TZP (In-Ceram YZ, Vita) IS produced by CAD-CAM; IZ-C, In-Ceram Zirconia (Vita) IS produced by CAD-CAM; IZ-S, In-Ceram Zirconia (Vita) IS produced by slip-cast; MC, metal IS (control). The IS were veneered with porcelain and resin cemented to fiber-reinforced composite dies. Specimens were loaded in compression to failure using a universal testing machine. The 30° angle load was applied by a spherical piston, in 37°C distilled water. Fractography was performed using stereomicroscope and SEM. Data were statistically analyzed with Anova and Student-Newman-Keuls tests (α=0.05). Results Significant differences were found between groups (p=0.022). MC showed the highest mean failure load, statistically similar to YZ-C. There was no statistical difference between YZ-C, IZ-C and IZ-S. MC and YZ-C showed no catastrophic failure. IZ-C and IZ-S showed chipping and catastrophic failures. The fracture behavior is similar to reported clinical failures. Significance Considering the ceramic systems evaluated, YZ-C and MC crowns present greater fracture load and a more favorable failure mode than In-Ceram Zirconia crowns, regardless of the fabrication type (CAD-CAM or slip-cast).