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. 2016 Dec:55:40-47.
doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2016.09.010. Epub 2016 Sep 28.

Dentist material selection for single-unit crowns: Findings from the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network

Sonia K Makhija  1 , Nathaniel C Lawson  2 , Gregg H Gilbert  2 , Mark S Litaker  2 , Jocelyn A McClelland  3 , David R Louis  4 , Valeria V Gordan  5 , Daniel J Pihlstrom  6 , Cyril Meyerowitz  7 , Rahma Mungia  8 , Michael S McCracken  2 ; National Dental PBRN Collaborative Group
Affiliations

Dentist material selection for single-unit crowns: Findings from the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network

Sonia K Makhija et al. J Dent. 2016 Dec.

Abstract

Objectives: Dentists enrolled in the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network completed a study questionnaire about techniques and materials used for single-unit crowns and an enrollment questionnaire about dentist/practice characteristics. The objectives were to quantify dentists' material recommendations and test the hypothesis that dentist's and practice's characteristics are significantly associated with these recommendations.

Methods: Surveyed dentists responded to a contextual scenario asking what material they would use for a single-unit crown on an anterior and posterior tooth. Material choices included: full metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), all-zirconia, layered zirconia, lithium disilicate, leucite-reinforced ceramic, or other.

Results: 1777 of 2132 eligible dentists responded (83%). The top 3 choices for anterior crowns were lithium disilicate (54%), layered zirconia (17%), and leucite-reinforced glass ceramic (13%). There were significant differences (p<0.05) by dentist's gender, race, years since graduation, practice type, region, practice busyness, hours worked/week, and location type. The top 3 choices for posterior crowns were all-zirconia (32%), PFM (31%), and lithium disilicate (21%). There were significant differences (p<0.05) by dentist's gender, practice type, region, practice busyness, insurance coverage, hours worked/week, and location type.

Conclusions: Network dentists use a broad range of materials for single-unit crowns for anterior and posterior teeth, adopting newer materials into their practices as they become available. Material choices are significantly associated with dentist's and practice's characteristics.

Clinical significance: Decisions for crown material may be influenced by factors unrelated to tooth and patient variables. Dentists should be cognizant of this when developing an evidence-based approach to selecting crown material.

Keywords: Crowns; Dental materials; Dentistry; Prosthodontics.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Frequency distribution of material selection, by tooth*
*For anterior tooth, full metal was not an option. For the posterior tooth, leucite reinforced glass ceramic was not an option.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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