EVALUATION OF THE PROXIMAL CONTACT TIGHTNESS BETWEEN FULL COVERAGE METAL CROWN AND ADJACENT NATURAL TEETH - AN IN VIVO STUDY

Context:The present study assesses the changes in the proximal contact tightness giving clinician a standardized method and a digital tool for evaluation of the proximal contact tightness. The results of this study also proves to be an educating tool for the patients in their maintenance of the prosthesis. Aims: to evaluate the proximal contact tightness between single full coverage metal crown and adjacent natural teeth at cementation appointment and after 10 days at recall appointment and to compare the proximal contact tightness measured at both the appointments Settings and Design: in vivo prospective study Methods and Material:31 healthy subjects seeking treatment for fabrication of single full coverage metal crown were selected for this study. Conventionally fabricated single full coverage metal crowns were cemented and the proximal contact tightness was measured using a digital force gauge with hook attachment and a 0.05mm metal strip between the crown and adjacent natural teeth at mesial and distal contacts. Statistical analysis used:The proximal contact tightness at cementation and at recall appointment after 10 days were analysed using a Paired t test. Results:The mean value of proximal contact tightness at the mesial and distal contacts obtained at cementation appointment was 2.35 ± 0.486 N and 2.32 ± 0.475 N respectively. The mean value of proximal contact tightness at the mesial and distal contacts obtained at recall appointment was 1.03 ± 0.180 N and 1.65 ± 0.486 N respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the proximal contact tightness obtained at cementation and at recall appointment after 10 days. Conclusions:The results suggested that there is a significant reduction in the proximal contact tightness between full coverage metal crown and adjacent natural teeth after cementation. The method used in the study showed potential to be a more standard and quantitative method to assess the changes occurring in the proximal contact tightness.