Comparative Evaluation of Marginal Fit Between CAD/CAM and Conventional Metal-Ceramic Crowns

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the marginal fit of metal-ceramic crowns fabricated using computer-aided design/computer- aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology and the conventional lost- wax casting technique. Methods: An in-vitro experimental design was employed using 40 standardized metal-ceramic crowns, equally divided into two groups: Group A (CAD/CAM) and Group B (Conventional). All crowns were fabricated for identical typodont molar preparations. Marginal adaptation was assessed using the silicone replica technique and examined under a stereomicroscope at 40× magnification. Data were analyzed using SPSS v25, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The CAD/CAM group showed a mean marginal gap of 54.2 ± 8.5 µm, whereas the conventional group exhibited 89.7 ± 12.4 µm. The independent t-test confirmed a statistically significant difference (p <0.01), favoring CAD/CAM crowns. Consistency and uniform adaptation across all quadrants were notably superior in digitally milled restorations. Conclusion: Crowns fabricated via CAD/CAM demonstrated significantly better marginal fit compared to conventional methods. These findings support the clinical adoption of digital dentistry to enhance restoration accuracy and longevity.