Abstract:

Objective

To investigate the color effect of four kinds of post-cores on In-Ceram Alumina ceramic system.

Methods

An intact extracted tooth was selected for this study. The crown was excised and the root received endodontic treatment. Four kinds of post-cores with different materials， i.e.Ni-Cr alloy， golden alloy， ceramic post-core， and resin core with fiber-post， were prepared for this root. Each group had ten specimens. One In-Ceram Alumina crown was manufactured to fit for these post-cores. The color parameters （L^*， a^*and b^*） of the middle 1/3 of the crown were measured by the CM-700d spectrophotometric tester for the four groups. The values of L^*， a^*， and b^*were compared by an ANOVA and a LED test， and the ^△E was calculated.

Results

There were significant differences of the values of L^*， a^*， and b^* in four groups （F_L=334.90，P_L=0.000；F_a=4.43，P_a=0.009；F_b=359.22，P_b=0.000）. The ^△E values in the Ni-Cr alloy group and the golden alloy group were beyond the level that could be accepted in clinic （^△E ＞2）. While the ^△E values in the all ceramic post-core group and the resin core with fiber-post group were satisfied in clinic. The color difference of these two groups could not be identified by the naked eye （^△E ＜1.5）.

Conclusion

The metal alloy post-core would not be recommended for clinical practice with In-Ceram Alumina ceramic system especially in the anterior teeth area.

Key words: Alumina, All ceramic system, Post-core