Assessment of the compressive strength of the metal-ceramic connections in fixed dental restorations

Purpose: The purpose of the work was to evaluate the compressive strength of metalceramic connections in the fixed dental restorations. Design/methodology/approach: Restorations were made on a model of the natural patient's dentition which was developed specifically for this study. The study included 10 metal - porcelain crowns, for each group of teeth. Their production used Remanium 2000+ alloy and porcelain Vita VMK Master. A static compression test was carried out on the final crowns and Vicker's hardness test was performed. Visual observations were carried out on a scanning electron microscope. Findings: On the basis of the research and the discussion it was possible to conclude that metal-porcelain crowns have a greater compressive strength than natural human teeth. Thus, they are more resistant to occlusal forces and the crowns for the first molars are the strongest restorations. Practical implications: The metal-porcelain crowns are a very good option for teeth restoration and they can be used even in the areas of the mouth where the occlusal forces reach the maximum values. Originality/value: The article focuses on testing of compressive strength of metal-ceramic crowns. The comparison with natural human occlusal forces shows the sufficient mechanical properties of metal-ceramic crowns for application in humans. The artificial tooth geometry allows applying prosthetic crowns in the patient's mouth without the risk of ceramic break down.