Fracture Resistance of Crowns - Capstone Project Example

Aesthetic dental restorations are increasingly becoming popular in society. It mainly involves reshaping the gums which may be useful in terms of balancing the smile of the patient. In pediatric dentistry, the demand for aesthetic restoration is on the rise (Sahana, Kumar, Aron, Sekhar & Vijaya, 2010). The materials being used during the process are also of concern. This is due to the strength of the materials and their differences in terms of fracture (Prashant, 2015). Stainless steel crown (ss) is one of the materials that are commonly used.

The durability of the materials is also dependant on various factors including fracture resistance (MacLean, Champagne, Waggoner, Ditmyer & Casamassimo, 2007). Several studies have been carried out to determine the fracture resistance of the stainless steel crowns. The fracture of an aesthetic SS can contribute to the loss of space in the developing pediatric dentition. It may also lead to an increase in the retention of plaque and hence impacting negatively on its purpose (Gupta, Chen & Ontiveros, 2008).

Evidence-based decisions with regards to the fracture of ss crowns are important in dentistry. This is because it facilitates the proper selection of the crowns. In one of the studies, it was established that 54% of the ss had adverse aesthetic outcomes after two years which includes loss of coating, discoloration, and chipping (Beattie, Taskonak, Jones, Chin, Sanders, Tomlin & Weddell, 2011). The studies on the fracture of ss are thus aimed at ensuring that its qualities are well known.

In one of the previous studies, three testings were conducted on three types of aesthetic ss for primary mandibular. This was carried out through the use of the universal testing device for fracture with stainless steel ball-bearing (Beattie, Taskonak, Jones, Chin, Sanders, Tomlin & Weddell, 2011). The results indicated that the SS crowns were able to withstand the occlusal forces which are similar to the documented bite force of young children in the first mandibular primary molar area. However, there was a significant fracture when the aesthetic ss were exposed to uniaxial force loads.