Abstract
The purpose of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the axial wall taper of prepared artificial teeth using a non-contact three-dimensional shape measuring system. A total of 54 artificial teeth prepared by pre-clinical dental students for complete cast restorations were evaluated. For quantitative analysis, five cross sections were computer-graphically placed perpendicularly to the z-axis. The surface coordinate values (x, y, z) of each cross section were converted into polar coordinate values (r, θ), which were then graphically rendered to a two-dimensional plane. At four points, each 90° from the distal center point of the cross section, the axial wall taper was quantitatively calculated using a formula based on the differences in radius between the highest and lowest positions of the cross sections of the prepared tooth. The average calculated taper was 5.8° in the distal region, 21.7° in the buccal region, 14.9° in the mesial region and 12.5° in the lingual region. These results suggest that the axial wall taper of prepared teeth can be quantitatively evaluated using this measuring system. (J. Oral Sci. 47, 129-133, 2005)
