Post-Cementation Sensitivity of Zirconia Crowns: A Comparative Clinical Study of Glass Ionomer and Self-Adhesive Resin Cements.

Abstract

Background: This clinical study evaluated post-cementation sensitivity after zirconia crown cementation using two luting agents: a conventional glass ionomer cement (Fuji I) and a self-adhesive dual-cure resin cement (Calibra Ceram).

Materials and methods: A total of 40 patients requiring zirconia crown restorations were included in the study and randomly allocated to one of two groups according to the luting cement used. In Group I, zirconia crowns were cemented with conventional glass ionomer cement (Fuji I), whereas in Group II they were cemented with self-adhesive dual-cure resin cement (Calibra Ceram). Post-cementation sensitivity was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) at 2 hours after cementation and after 14 days. Sensitivity was evaluated in response to cold, heat, and biting stimuli. Normality was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. As the data were not normally distributed, intragroup comparisons were performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and intergroup comparisons using the Mann-Whitney U test (p < 0.05).

Results: At both evaluation times, the Fuji I group showed higher sensitivity scores than the Calibra Ceram group for cold, heat, and biting stimuli. Cold and heat sensitivity decreased significantly from baseline to day 14 in both groups. For biting sensitivity, a significant reduction was observed in the Fuji I group, whereas the reduction in the Calibra Ceram group was not statistically significant. Between-group comparisons showed significantly lower sensitivity scores in the Calibra Ceram group for all tested stimuli at both time points.

Conclusions: Within the limitations of this clinical study, zirconia crowns cemented with self-adhesive resin cement showed lower post-cementation sensitivity than those cemented with conventional glass ionomer cement. The type of luting cement may therefore influence early postoperative sensitivity and patient comfort following zirconia crown cementation.