Aim: The study was conducted to evaluate the internal fit and marginal adaptation of custom-made Pressable compared to CAD/CAM PEEK post and core at three levels
Methodology: Twenty-eight extracted maxillary central incisors were prepared for custom post and cores. Acrylic resin patterns were fabricated and divided into two groups: CAD/CAM group: Resin patterns were directly scanned and milled from modified PEEK blocks and Press group: Patterns were pressed with granulate. Cement thickness was measured at four standardized points and the vertical marginal discrepancy was measured at twelve points using scanning electron microscope. One Way-ANOVA and Tukey`s post hoc test were performed to compare between the sections of each group; while Independent T-test was performed to compare between the two groups at different sections
Results: Regarding CAD/CAM group, the mean cement thickness was the highest in the coronal section (85.57±17.81) followed by the middle (72.87±18.57) then the apical (45.92±18.73). While for Press group, the middle section showed the highest mean cement thickness (50.99±15.98), followed by the coronal section (39.70±18.16), the apical section (21.37±4.30). Comparing between the two groups, CAD/CAM group had significantly higher internal gap in all sections (P=0.0001). Among cores marginal adaptation, no significant difference in means of all surfaces was revealed between the CAD/CAM (98.83±13.90) and press (95.08±13.91) groups (P=0.54)
Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, pressed PEEK post and cores achieved superior internal fit compared to CAD/CAM. Neither CAD/CAM nor pressing technique influenced the marginal adaptation of PEEK cores and both were within the clinical acceptance range