Gravimetric analysis of removed tooth structure associated with different preparation designs

PurposeTo gravimetrically analyze the tooth reduction associated with different commonly used preparation designs in relation to coronal and radical parts of the tooth.Materials and methodsEighty extracted permanent human teeth (four different morphologies) were divided into eight groups according to tooth type and preparation design. Each specimen underwent a pre- and post-preparation gravimetric analysis. The mass of the tooth that was removed was analyzed. Descriptive statistics were used to compare the reduction in tooth mass by weight percent. Student’s t-test was used to compare the mean percentages of tooth reduction with a significance level of P < .05.ResultsSignificant differences in tooth reduction were noted between different types of crown coverage preparations. Complete-coverage (all-ceramic crown) preparations for mandibular first premolars required the greatest tooth reduction (40.01%). The least tooth reduction was associated with maxillary central incisors undergoing a ceramic veneer preparation (20.19%).ConclusionTooth preparations for all-ceramic crowns require greater tooth reduction relative to ceramic veneers and onlays.