Influence of resin cement shade on the color and translucency of zirconia crowns

BACKGROUND: Zirconia crowns are highly attractive for clinicians, although have poor translucency when used as single restorations, in addition to unknown effect of resin cement shade on final cemented crown shade. This study aimed to assess effect of resin cement opacity on color replication potential of different zirconia frameworks with target tooth color, in addition to different zirconia crowns translucency evaluation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-four zirconia crown restorations were fabricated to restore single central maxillary incisor for 8 patients, divided into 3 groups according to color and type of zirconia used (white Zr core, colored Zr core and monolithic HT Zrcowns). Each group was further subdivided into 2 subgroups according to resin cement shade. Using Easyshade spectrophotometer, Delta E color difference was calculated between each crown parameters using 2 different resin luting cement shades and adjacent target tooth. Translucency parameters (TP) were tested for finished crowns. ΔEs obtained were assessed based on ΔEof 1.6 which represented color difference that could not be detected by human eye and considered clinically acceptable. RESULTS: No statistically significant values were found between subgroups related to different resin cement shade. Translucency parameters showed statistically significant different values. Monolithic crowns showed highest translucency parameters followed by Zr crowns on white cores then Zr crowns on colored cores. CONCLUSIONS: Resin cement shade didn’t affect final color perception. Monolithic high translucency crowns usage gained advantages of high translucency and delamination prevention. Zirconia crowns could be cemented by opaque or transparent cement without affecting final color. Key words:Zirconia, resin cement, monolithic, translucency, spectrophotometer, Delta E.