Plaque retention on teeth restored with full-ceramic crowns: a comparative study.

Plaque accumulation was determined by using the plaque index of Silness and Löe on 150 crowns in 19 patients. The plaque indices for individual crowns in a quadrant were compared to the average plaque index of the quadrant in which the crowns were inserted (quadrant plaque index = 100%). This comparative study showed that Cerestore full-ceramic crowns have little soft debris retention (32%). Ceramometal crowns (90%), natural teeth (110%), cast gold restorations (148%), and acrylic resin veneer crowns (152%) have increasing plaque retention. The results indicate that ceramics are easily cleaned and exhibit low plaque retention. Increasing the area of ceramic surfaces on restorations decreases plaque retention.