Micro-CT analysis of marginal and internal fit of milled and pressed polyetheretherketone single crowns

Statement of problem: Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has been increasingly used as a framework material in prosthetic dentistry. However, data on the marginal and internal fit of PEEK restorations fabricated by using either the computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) or heat-pressing technique are sparse. Purpose: The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the marginal and internal fit of milled and pressed PEEK single crowns by using microcomputed tomography (μCT). Material and methods: A custom-made, single stainless-steel die was designed to replicate a maxillary first premolar prepared for a ceramic crown. PEEK copings (N=30) were fabricated and allocated to 3 groups (n=10) according to the fabrication technique: milled from a prefabricated PEEK blank, heat pressed from PEEK pellets, and heat pressed from PEEK granules. All copings were veneered with a composite resin material. The marginal fit was recorded at 4 predetermined points and the internal fit at 8 predetermined points on each crown by using μCT. Two-way ANOVA, pair-wise Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD), and simple main effect tests were used for statistical analysis of the data (α=.05). Results: Concerning marginal fit, the milled crowns demonstrated the best marginal fit overall (44 ±3 μm), followed by those pressed from pellets (92 ±3 μm), and finally by those pressed from granules (137 ±7 μm) (P<.001). The interaction between the effects of the fabrication technique and the measurement point on the marginal fit was not statistically significant (P=.142). The milled crowns demonstrated the lowest mean gap values overall, followed by those pressed from pellets and those pressed from granules (P<.001). The interaction between the effects of the fabrication technique and the measurement point on the internal fit was statistically significant (P<.001). Except for the distal occlusal gap and mesial occlusal gap, all tested groups showed a statistically significant difference (P<.001). In addition, statistically significant differences were observed among all measurement points in different fabrication techniques (P<.001). Conclusions: The marginal and internal fit of milled PEEK crowns was significantly better than pressed crowns. However, both CAD-CAM and heat-pressing techniques produced PEEK crowns with a clinically acceptable marginal and internal fit. The mean marginal gap of the PEEK crowns pressed from granules was above the range of clinically acceptable value.