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Purpose: Earlier studies on low-fusing ceramics have shown the occurrence of changes
over time regarding surface and color. The present prospective study is an ongoing
follow-up of an intraindividual comparison between two metal-ceramic systems, the
Procera system (titanium copings veneered with a low-fusing ceramic) and noble-alloy
copings veneered with a medium-fusing ceramic. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one
crown pairs were fabricated for 18 patients. After 5 years, 18 crown pairs in 15 patients
were available for comparison. The crowns were examined shortly after cementation
(baseline), and after 1, 2, and 5 years. The crowns were rated according to the CDA
system. Bleeding index and margin index were also evaluated. Results: Obvious changes
regarding surface and color were noted for the titanium-ceramic crowns. The difference
between the two types of crowns was statistically significant at 5 years (P = .004). The
differences between the two systems regarding anatomic form, margin integrity, bleeding
index, and margin index were small. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it is
concluded that low-fusing ceramic-veneered titanium copings are inferior to mediumfusing
ceramic-veneered conventional copings regarding surface and color of the
ceramic. Therefore, conventional ceramic-veneered crowns seem to be preferable, at
least in the anterior area, where the esthetic requirements are greater than in premolar
and molar regions. Whether possible changes in the properties of low-fusing ceramics
will reduce the differences between the two types of metal-ceramic crowns remains to be
proven. Int J Prosthodont 2003;16:70–73.
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