Evaluating residual dentin thickness following various mandibular anterior tooth preparations for zirconia full-coverage single crowns: an in vitro analysis

The objective of this study was to evaluate the residual dentin thickness (RDT) after different tooth preparations. Ninety mandibular anterior teeth were divided into three groups: central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines. Specimens were prepared for single-crown coverage with shoulder, slight chamfer, and knife-edge finish lines. Specimens were sectioned and divided into four subgroups according to measurement areas: (1) buccal, (2) distal, (3) lingual, and (4) mesial. The RDT was analyzed statistically by means of one-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc test (P = .05). Significant differences were found for shoulder but not for slight chamfer and knife-edge finish lines. The interproximal areas wound up being critical due to thin RDT, potentially interfering with the structural and biologic integrity of teeth.