The effect of zirconia framework design on the failure of all-ceramic crown under static loading

PURPOSE: This in vitro study aimed to compare the failure load and failure characteristics of two different zirconia framework designs of premolar crowns when subjected to static loading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two types of zirconia frameworks, conventional 0.5 mm even thickness framework design (EV) and 0.8 mm cutback of full contour crown anatomy design (CB), were made for 10 samples each. The veneer porcelain was added on under polycarbonate shell crown made by vacuum of full contour crown to obtain the same total thickness of the experiment crowns. The crowns were cemented onto the Cobalt-Chromium die. The dies were tilted 45 degrees from the vertical plane to obtain the shear force to the cusp when loading. All crowns were loaded at the lingual incline of the buccal cusp until fracture using a universal testing machine with cross-head speed 0.5 mm/min. The load to fracture values (N) was recorded and statistically analyzed by independent sample t-test. RESULTS: The mean and standard deviations of the failure load were 1,170.1 ± 90.9 N for EV design and 1,450.4 ± 175.7 N for CB design. A significant difference in the compressive failure load was found (P<.05). For the failure characteristic, the EV design was found only cohesive failures within veneering porcelain, while the CB design found more failures through the zirconia framework (8 from 10 samples). CONCLUSION: There was a significant difference in the failure load between two designs, and the design of the framework influences failure characteristic of zirconia crown.