Translucency of zirconia and alumina core materials used in all-ceramic restorations

Abstract

All-ceramic restorations have the advantage of being esthetic. All-ceramic core materials of alumina and zirconia have high in vitro strength. The translucency of dental porcelain is largely dependent on light scattering. I compared the translucency and contrast ratio of two different all-ceramic system core materials at clinically appropriate thicknesses. The translucency and contrast ratio of all-ceramic core materials were measured in single and laminated specimens consisting of core material and porcelains. For the laminations used in this study, there were no significant differences in the translucency and contrast ratio of the two core materials examined. However, significant differences were noted in the translucency and contrast ratio among various combinations of core materials and laminate specimens.