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Deformation of crowns during cementation was investigated by a simple loading system of defined crowns with silicone fluids as cements. Deformation of the crowns was measured by long stain gauges that encircled the cervical margins. Die spacing was simulated by etching the die. Venting was simulated by removing a small screw. Deformation of the crowns was decreased by decreasing the viscosity of fluid, increasing the thickness of the crowns, and venting. Etching the die decreased the seating times of the crowns, but did not alter the level of deformation. Terminal cementation with zinc phosphate cement confirmed the presence of crown deformation during cementation. The results have consequences for bonded and all-ceramic crowns, and explain several clinical phenomena. It is suggested that low viscosity cements, low seating forces, and die spacing be used to decrease the deformation of crowns during seating. The importance of passive fitting of the crown to the tooth is stressed.

This study demonstrated the difference between Hue, Chroma, and Value between Ceramco shades A3 and B1 when the porcelain and opaque textures were modified. Porcelain surface texture, whether rough or smooth, did not make a difference in Hue. However, the glossy type surface in the opaque layer shifted for shade A3 from yellow toward yellow-red, and toward yellow for shade B1. This study demonstrated that Chroma is greater for dull opaque than for glossy opaque with shade B1, but for shade A3 the statistical interaction between dull opaque and smooth porcelain texture decreased the Chroma. Value had essentially an additive effect of opaque and porcelain textures for shade A3. The smooth surface porcelain texture increased the Value of shade B1 compared to the rough porcelain surface. The interactions that occur between the texture of porcelain and opaque affecting color are complex phenomena. They may be related to the modification of light by transmission, absorption, refraction, scattering, and reflection.

An attempt was made in this study to make a clinically meaningful measure of fracture resistance in metal-ceramic restorations. Forty-four solid metal-ceramic crown forms were fabricated and subjected to compressive load testings. Variables included the presence or absence of a metal coating agent, the type of metal preparation (using stones of different abrasives), and three designs of the underlying metal. The following conclusions were arrived at: (1) The design of the underlying metal structure had a significant relation to the ultimate fracture strength. (2) A design with a definite acuteness of the underlying metal structure failed at significantly lower ultimate fracture strengths. (3) A metal conditioning agent did not decrease fracture resistance if applied properly. (4) Fracture strength was severely decreased when (a) improper thickness of the coating agent was used and (b) porcelain was fused to an unoxidized metal surface. (5) Bond strength, although a contributing factor, may not be as important as metal design and proper manipulation of materials during fabrication of the restoration.

One-hundred cylindrical pull-through ceramic-metal test specimens were subjected to shear loading forces. Two porcelain systems were treated in association with five ceramic alloys--one precious, one semiprecious, and three nonprecious alloys. 1. There was no significant difference in bond strength between Ceramco and Vita porcelains. 2. The various alloys tested demonstrated significantly different bond strengths. 3. Differential statistical tests suggested that nonprecious alloys performed better with Ceramco porcelain than with Vita porcelain. 4. The bond strength of Ceramco porcelain fused to nonprecious alloy N-C2 was significantly greater than that of Ceramic and traditional gold-based alloys. 5. Nonprecious alloy N-C1 produced significantly less bond strength than the traditional gold-based alloys. 6. Semiprecious alloy W produced high bond strengths with both Ceramco and Vita porcelains. 7. The cylindrical pull-through test was a reliable, reproducible method of testing ceramic-metal bond shear strength. 8. The surface roughness appears to be the one common factor in nonprecious alloys that relates to large differences in bond strength. Additional tests must be made to verify this hypothesis.

This study was designed as a comparative analysis of the compressive strengths of precious versus nonprecious metals with various framework designs used in clinical restorations. One hundred thirty-five statistically uniform ceramometal restorations were fabricated. The restorations were cemented to the die and then subjected to stroke-control compression forces in an Instron loading machine. Simulated clinical failure was recorded by the Instron load cell recorder in pounds of load.