Aim: The study evaluated the impact of tooth preparation design and chairside milling unit on the internal adaptation and marginal fit of CAD/CAM fabricated endocrowns.
Materials and methods: Endodontically treated molars (N=60) from a clinical research project were divided into four groups. 30 molars received an onlay endocrown preparation and 30 molars received a shoulder endocrown preparation. The preparations were scanned and designed with the Primescan (Dentsply Sirona) and 15 of each group were milled with the MC X mill (Dentsply Sirona) or Primemill (Dentsply Sirona) to create four clinical groups (N=15). One in vitro group was added using the shoulder endocrown preparation and Primemill (N=15). Polyvinylsiloxane (PVS) replicas were fabricated and sectioned. Specimens were measured under a microscope at the margins and pre-determined segments of the internal surface.
Results: No significant differences in margin fit or internal adaptation were noted in the pulpal floor, horizontal walls, or external vertical walls for the typodont shoulder endocrowns compared to clinical shoulder endocrowns. The MC X mill had significantly smaller vertical wall gaps compared to the Primemill shoulder endocrown group in the clinical model. No significant differences were found for endocrown onlays when comparing milling units. Significantly smaller marginal and pulpal floor gaps existed for shoulder endocrown preparation groups while significantly smaller horizontal wall gaps existed for onlay endocrown preparation groups.
Conclusion: The fit of endocrown restorations obtained on a typodont preparation translated to the fit observed clinically. Both preparations and milling units are acceptable options to be used clinically with the differences likely having no clinical impact on longevity of the restorations.