RESUMEN
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: With the development of various zirconia core shades, questions arise regarding the effect of the shaded zirconia on the translucency of ceramic crowns. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the translucency of the 3 Procera Zirconia shaded core materials. The hypothesis was that differences exist in the translucency of various shaded zirconia cores. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Disk-shaped (0.6 ± 0.01 × 12 mm) zirconia core (Procera Zirconia) specimens (n=90) were fabricated by the manufacturer using a CAD/CAM process. The disks were fabricated in 3 groups according to shade (light, medium, intense) (n=30). A spectrophotometer was used to measure contrast ratio (CR) which is indicative of translucency. One-way ANOVA was conducted to determine significant differences among the shades (α=.05). RESULTS: A significant difference in translucency between the light and intense shades (P=.030) and the medium and intense shades (P<.001) was observed. There was no significant difference between the light and medium shades (P=.15). CONCLUSIONS: Shaded zirconia is partially translucent. In addition, significant differences in translucency measurements were identified between specific shades.