COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF COLOUR CHANGE, CRAZING AND DIMENSIONAL STABILITY OF STAINLESS STEEL, ZIRCONIA AND FIGARO CROWNS BY STERILIZATION

Introduction:Full coverage restorations are indicated in primary teeth following pulp therapy, in teeth with multi-surface caries, developmental defects and fractures. There are various types of restorations for complete coverage. In the process of trial and error, the crown gets contaminated and demands sterilization for the purpose of reuse. Therefore, the study was carried out to evaluate the physico-mechanical outcome after sterilization of paediatric preformed crowns.

Aim: The purpose of the study was to compare the effect of sterilization on the colour, crazing and dimensional stability of Stainless steel, Zirconia and Figaro crowns.

Methodology: The study was conducted on a total of 36 crowns consisting of 12 each, Stainless steel crowns, Zirconia crowns and Figaro crowns, which were divided into two groups: G₁ in which crowns did not undergo any sterilization, G₂ consisted of sterilization with steam autoclaving at 121°C, 15 psi pressure for 20 min. Following sterilization, all the crown samples were observed under a stereomicroscope at ×200 magnification and assessed for colour change, crazing and dimensional stability.

Results:There was no color change or crazing following sterilization among crowns in any of the groups. Highest crazing was noted in stainless steel and the least in Zirconia crowns. Zirconia Crowns were the most dimensionally stable followed by Figaro crowns and SSCs were the least dimensionally stable.

Conclusion: Zirconia Crown was the most dimensionally stable followed by Figaro Crowns and Stainless steel crowns.