• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2004

Statement of problem : The increased awareness of esthetics in dentistry has brought the esthetic consideration in prosthetic restorations . Dental ceramics offer better esthetics for use of prosthetic restorations. Unfortunately, dental ceramic materials are not always the most suitable candidate materials since their inherently brittle nature. In recent years, basic research in ceramic science has led to the recognition or several approaches to strengthen and to enhance esthetics of ceramics. Several all ceramic systems use ceramic core and porcelain build up structures . Ceramic cores influence to strength of all ceramic crowns . So the strength of ceramic cores is important to all ceramic crowns. Purpose : The purpose of this study is to estimate the flexural strength of ceramic cores in some all ceramic systems. Material and method : A biaxial flexure test was conducted on three groups(Cergo, Empress 2, In-Ceram). Each group consisted of 30 discs of nearly identical dimension with a 0.5mm, 1.0mm, 1.5mm thickness and 12mm in diameter. The fracture load was recorded by Instron. Analysis of valiance(ANOVA) and Tukey's tests were performed using SAS statistical software. Results : 1.5mm thickness of specimens were significantly stronger than 0.5mm and 1.0mm thickness of specimens in Cergo and In-Ceram. But each sepecimen group of Empress 2 was no significantly strength by thickness. In order of In-Ceram, Empress 2 and Cergo has significantly stronger strength in the same thickness. Conclusion : In-Ceram is the strongest ceramic material in 3 materials. All the materials can be used according to the required characters.