European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry

Adequately Prepared? A Study Using an Innovative Computer Application to Measure Clinical Crown Convergence Angles Achieved by Students at a UK Dental School

Email a link to this journal

Cover Date

March 2019

Print ISSN

0965-7452

Electronic ISSN

2396-8893

Vol

27

Issue

1

Abstract

European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry (2019) 27, 32–38

rL
td

Adequately Prepared? A Study
Using an Innovative Computer
Application to Measure
Clinical Crown Convergence
Angles Achieved by Students
at a UK Dental School

Keywords
Convergence Angle
Dental Student
Crown

rbe

Authors

ABSTRACT

Kenneth James Strain*

(BDS, DIP H&T, MFDS RCS (Ed.))

Janine Tiu§

(PhD, BDent Tech, PGDipDentTech)

Ba

James Mackie*

(Pg Dip Dent Tech)

Stephen J Bonsor*

(BDS, (hons), MSc FHEA , FDS RCPS
(Glasg))
(BDS MSc, FDS RCS (Eng.) FDS RCS (Ed.)
FFGDP)

nn

Address for Correspondence

is

Richard J Ibbetson*

Kenneth James Strain*

Email: [email protected]

University of Otago

©

De

* University of Aberdeen, Westburn Drive, AB25
3BZ Aberdeen, United Kingdom
§

This study examined the total occlusal convergence angles created for full coverage crown
preparations by students at a UK dental school. Working casts of 82 clinical crown preparations were scanned using a 3D scanner. Stereolithographic files were uploaded to Preppr, a
crown preparation analysis application. Mean bucco-lingual convergence angle were 19.6°
(+/-11.7) and mesial-distally 17.8° (+/-11.1). Smallest bucco-lingual convergence angles were
achieved for canine teeth with the largest on molar teeth. The smallest mesio-distal values
were on canine teeth with the largest on molar teeth. Ideal total convergence angles (4-14°)
were achieved in 23% of bucco-lingual preparations and 33% of mesio-distal preparation. Results for clinically acceptable angles (10-20°) were 30% and 40% respectively. There were
no statistically significant differences between tooth types for mean bucco-lingual values.
(p=0.623), mesio-distal mean values were statistically different by tooth type (p=0.003).
Mean values for mandibular molars were significantly higher than for maxillary incisors
(p=0.001) and mandibular molars had significantly higher values than maxillary canines
(p=0.045). Results in this study were comparable to those of other students and qualified
clinicians, with a minority of preparation achieving ideal values.

INTRODUCTION
The effects of different total occlusal convergence angles (TOC) or tapers on
the clinical success of full coverage crowns have been extensively investigated
both in vivo and in vitro. The angle formed by the opposing walls of a crown
preparation when viewed in a given plane forms the total convergence angle.1
The majority of research examining TOC has been laboratory based with a
paucity of research examining the convergence angles achieved by clinicians
intra-orally.2,3 When assessing TOC, two key concepts must be considered, retention and resistance form. Retention is the ability of a crown to resist forces
acting to dislodge it along its path of insertion, resistance is the ability of the
crown to resist forces acting to dislodge it in a direction other than the path of
insertion.1 Jorgensen found an inverse relationship between TOC angles and
retention,4 TOC has also been shown to be a key determinant of the resistance
form of an abutment.5 The greater the TOC of a crown preparation, the lower
the forces needed to dislodge the restoration.6

Received: 12.05.2018
Accepted: 20.11.2018
doi: 10.1922/EJPRD_01832Strain07

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
ejprd.org - Published by Dennis Barber Journals.

EJPRD

Copyright ©2019 by Dennis Barber Ltd. All rights reserved.