In vitro comparison of marginal and internal fit between stainless steel crowns and esthetic crowns of primary molars using different luting cements

Abstract

Background: This study was to assess and compare the marginal and internal fit of stainless steel
crowns (SSCs) with those of preveneered SSCs and zirconia crowns using different luting cements.
Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, 36 primary first molars were divided into three
groups (n = 12) each prepared to receive different crowns (SSCs, preveneered SSCs, or zirconia
crowns). Each group was further subgrouped (n = 4) according to the luting cement (resin cement,
glass ionomer cement [GIC], or resin‑modified GIC [RMGIC]). After cementation, the teeth were
sectioned in the buccolingual direction to assess the marginal and internal fit. The results were
analyzed using ANOVA and Bonferroni statistical tests. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05.
Results: Zirconia crowns, especially those cemented with resin cement, were associated with the
lowest marginal and internal gap width. Regardless of the luting cement, no significant difference was
observed between all three crowns tested in terms of marginal gap (P > 0.05); however, zirconia
crowns cemented with resin cement had significantly lower internal gap than preveneered SSCs
and SSCs cemented with resin cement. In addition, those cemented with RMGIC had significantly
lower internal gap than preveneered SSCs cemented with that cement (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Zirconia crowns cemented with resin cement were the most accurately fitted
internally, while marginally, they were not significantly different from the rest of crown‑luting cement
combinations tested.
Key Words: Internal fit, marginal fit, stainless steel crowns, zirconia crowns