RESUMEN
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of selected cements, abutment heights, and aging on the retention of zirconia crowns on zirconia abutments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Zirconia crowns and abutments (height: 4.0 or 5.5 mm) were sandblasted and retained using five different cements. Axial pull-off tests were performed after thermocycling or 3 days of water storage. RESULTS: An increase in abutment height was associated with an increase in decementation force when permanent cementation was tested. The aging protocol showed that temporarily cemented crowns showed a significant retention decrease, while use of a permanent cement led to a moderate increase. CONCLUSION: Only use of permanent cements ensures clinically adequate decementation forces.