Study on methodology for the assessment of internal and marginal adaptation on fixed dental prosthesis

ABSTRACT

This article is to review various methods used to investigate internal and marginal adaptation of fixed dental prostheses, and to summarize a merit, worth, and limitation of each method, using some results of previous studies. The methods of measuring internal and marginal gap are divided into two categories in this study; in vivo and in vitro. In vivo methods are clinical evaluations, including exploration, radiography, and impression technique. In vitro methods are laboratory evaluations such as direct view, cross-sectioning, and silicone replica technique using microscope. Measuring by micro computed tomography (CT) or profilometer is also in vitro methods. In recent years, the development of scanning systems is able to analyze 3-dimensional internal and marginal space in detail. As measuring and analyzing technology become more advanced, the ability to thoroughly examine crown adaptation is becoming both simpler and more efficient.