Clinical Evaluation of AI-Driven Designed Single Crowns

This methodological clinical study evaluates tooth-supported single crowns produced using two different digital design methods within a fully digital workflow. For each participant, two crown restorations are designed for the same prepared posterior tooth: one by an experienced dental technician using conventional computer-aided design (CAD) software and the other using an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven automated design system. Both restorations are produced using the same manufacturing workflow and are clinically evaluated under standardized conditions.

The two restorations are evaluated for buccal and lingual/palatal crown contours, mesial and distal proximal contacts, occlusal contacts, and marginal adaptation using predefined clinical criteria. In addition, three-dimensional (3D) surface deviation analysis is performed to quantitatively compare the two design methods at the global, buccal, and lingual/palatal surface levels.

The study uses a within-participant comparison design, with both design methods evaluated on the same prepared tooth, thereby minimizing variability related to patient- and tooth-specific factors.

Inclusion criteria

• Provision of written informed consent to participate in the study
• Adults aged 20-39 years
• Good general and local periodontal health with adequate oral hygiene
• Indication for a single full-coverage crown restoration in the posterior region
• Asymptomatic abutment tooth on clinical examination
• No periradicular radiolucency associated with the abutment tooth on periapical radiographic examination
• Sufficient remaining tooth structure without the need for a post-and-core restoration, allowing preservation of at least three axial walls after preparation, achievement of a ferrule with at least 1 mm of sound tooth structure coronal to the gingival level, and standardized finish-line preparation
• Presence of intact natural teeth or restorations mesial and distal to the abutment tooth and an opposing tooth or restoration allowing establishment of occlusal contact
• Stable interarch occlusal relationship
• No parafunctional habits

Exclusion criteria

• Refusal to provide written informed consent
• Serious systemic disease or condition that may contraindicate or interfere with tooth preparation and restorative treatment, including steroid therapy, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, immunological disorders, pregnancy, or conditions preventing adequate cooperation
• Systemic or local risk factors that may affect the treatment process, including active periodontal disease or inadequate oral hygiene
• History of allergy to local anesthetics containing epinephrine
• Functional or muscular temporomandibular disorders limiting mouth opening
• Parafunctional habits such as bruxism