Comparative In vitro Analysis of Characteristics Between CAD-CAM Fabricated Ceramic Crowns and 3D-Printed Resin-Based Dental Crowns

Objectives: Dental crown clinical longevity mainly depends on how materials resist wear and maintain their surface quality. Three-Dimensionally (3D) printed resin-based crowns and CAD-CAM ceramic crowns exist as preferred choices for tooth restoration because of their separate material components. The objective of this work involves examining the wear resistance properties and surface quality of CAD-CAM ceramic crowns and 3D-printed resin-based crowns so researchers can evaluate their clinical service life. Methods: Two hundred crowns were created including fifty CAD-CAM ceramic and fifty 3D-printed resin-based products. A simulator with five-year simulation duration evaluated wear resistance. The profilometer assessed material surface roughness (Ra) both before and after subjecting them to wear simulation tests. The independent t-tests evaluated the collected data with an alpha level of p = 0.05. Results: The wear damage produced by CAD-CAM ceramic crowns reached 14.8±2.3 µm yet resin crowns required 29.1±3.7 µm to finish their wearing process (p = 0.001). The ceramic crowns experienced an increase in surface roughness from 0.30±0.06 µm to 0.47±0.07 µm after wear testing while resin crowns went from 0.42±0.08 µm to 0.75±0.10 µm (p = 0.002). Conclusion: CAD-CAM ceramic crowns behave better under high-mechanical loads due to their improved wear resistance which preserves their smooth surface finish. Resin-based crowns represent potential candidates for short-term uses or situations where small masticatory loads are present. The results from clinical trials should validate the in vitro testing outcomes