Comparative Evaluation of the Translucency Properties of CAD/CAM Anterior Crowns

This study aimed to compare the translucency values of anterior crowns fabricated with ultra-high-translucent (UHT) zirconia, low-translucent (LT) lithium disilicate (LDS), and LT zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS) glass-ceramics. In total, 48 central incisor crowns (n = 12) were fabricated from IPS e.max CAD LT (IPS), Celtra Duo LT (CD), and GC Initial UHT zirconia (GC, GC1). A standard of 1.5 mm labial thickness of the crowns was determined for three groups (IPS, CD, GC), and 1 mm labial thickness was determined for GC1. The crowns’ translucency values were assessed in terms of the contrast ratio (CR). One-way ANOVA and Tamhane tests were used for analyzing the data. The mean CRs of GC1, GC, IPS, and CD specimens were 0.13 ± 0.01, 0.22 ± 0.01, 0.22 ± 0.04, and 0.29 ± 0.04, respectively. The CD group had significantly higher CR values than the other groups. The difference between the CR values of GC and IPS groups was not statistically significant. The GC1 group’s CR was significantly lower than the GC group. It is critical to select monolithic materials in order to achieve esthetic restorations, particularly for anterior teeth. The translucency of monolithic restorative materials was influenced by the type and the thickness of the material used.