ABSTRACT
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The effects of various core buildup materials which differs in the mechanical properties on the fracture strength of metal-free crowns is unknown. PURPOSE: This study was carried out to evaluate the fracture strengths of Artglass ceromer crowns supported by 3 different core materials in clinically simulated anterior tooth preparation. Material and methods. Ten crowns from each group were constructed to comparable dimensions on the various dies made by gold alloy, Ni-Cr alloy, and composite resin. The ten crowns were then cemented onto the dies and loaded until catastrophic failure took place. Fracture resistance to forces applied to the incisal edges of the anterior crowns supported by three types of dies was tested. RESULTS: The ceromer crowns on the composite resin dies fractured at significantly lower values(287.7 N) than the ceromer crowns on the metal dies(approximately 518.4 N). No significant difference was found between the fracture values of the ceromer crowns on the dies of gold alloy and Ni-Cr alloy. CONCLUSION: The failure loads of the ceromer crowns on the metal dies were almost the same and not affected by the differences of casting alloys. However, the fracture values of the ceromer crowns on the resin dies were significantly reduced by the relative weak properties of composite resin core material.