Clinical Evaluation of AI-Driven Designed Single Crowns

This clinical study compares tooth-supported single crowns designed by a dental technician and by an artificial intelligence (AI) driven automated design method. The two design methods are qualitatively compared in terms of buccal and lingual/palatal contours, proximal and occlusal contacts, and marginal fit using clinical evaluation. The two design methods are quantitatively compared in terms of global, buccal, and lingual/palatal surface deviations using three-dimensional surface deviation analysis.

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