Qualitative surface roughness of lithium disilicate endo-crown for pulpotomized primary molars

Rehabilitation of pulpotomized primary molars with an appropriate restoration is essential for recovering function and safeguarding the durability of the treatment. This study aimed to assess and compare the surface roughness of stainless steel (ST) crowns, zirconia (ZR) crowns, fiberglass (FG) crowns, and lithium disilicate (LD) endo-crowns as a restoration for pulpotomized primary molars also, evaluating the surface roughness of their antagonists. Sixty pulpotomized primary mandibular first molars were used for qualitative surface roughness evaluation and divided into four groups (n = 15/group) according to the crown type (group-ST, group-ZR, group-FG, group-LD). While the other sixty sound, unprepared primary maxillary first molars were used for evaluation of their surface roughness against the tested crowns. Specimens' preparation and cementation were carried out according to each crown type and manufacturer's instructions. The surface roughness was done using a two-body wear test. The data were statistically analyzed. All tested crowns showed an increased change in surface roughness, except group-ZR, which had the least change in surface roughness after mechanical wear with no statistically significant difference(P = 0.681). All crown types significantly increased the surface roughness of their antagonists after mechanical wear, except group-ST which showed insignificant affection (p ≥ 0.05). Zirconia crowns and lithium disilicate endo-crowns had the least change in surface roughness compared to other groups while SSCs showed the least tooth loss in the antagonist enamel.