Factors that Influence the

Gabriel R. Zuckerman, DDS

Mechanical Retention of 1199 Fifth Avenue
the Complete Crown Fast Nortbport, Nen York ¡1731

Retention of the complete crown is influenced by a complex

relationship developed between the crown preparation and
the adaptation of the restoration. Mechanical retention is
produced when the axial walls of the prepared tooth and the
restoration contact before the crown seats completely. The
force that is applied to seat the restoration completely
produces retention by creating compression of the tooth and
tension within the crown. The portion of the force that
produces this retention depends on the taper of the axial
walls of the tooth preparation, ¡nt ¡ Frosthodont 1988: 1:196-
200.

he complete crown is the most frequently used the use of cement, it should be mechanically de-
T restoration for repairing severely damaged teeth veloped by appropriate tooth preparation and tech-
nical procedures. To rely solely on the use of cement
and as a retainer for a fixed partial denture. The
crowns may be all cast metal, porcelain fused to a to retain a prosthesis that has no mechanical reten-
cast metal coping, or cast metal with an acrylic resin tion is to invite failure.
veneer. Regardless of the consiruclion, the physical To assemble a tooth and a crown to resist sep-
factors that influence the ability of these restorations aration it is necessary to understand the mechanics
to resist dislodgement remains the same. of the inclined plane. Figure 1 represents a model
The literature is replete with studies that examine
the effects of various preparations on retention.
These studies report the effects of crown length,
diameter and surface area, convergence of axial
walls, auxiliary boxes, grooves and pins, and partial
versus complete coverage on crown retention,'"^
Some studies include the effects of cement on re-
tent ion of the restoration as well," ^ While all of these
studies are accurate and the results valid, none have
defined the physical and mathematical relationship
that exists between these factors and retention. The
purpose of this article is to examine the fundamental
physical phenomenon by which the complete crown
achieves its retention so that it can be properly ap-
plied in clinical practice.
Retention is the ability of a restoration lo resist
separation from a tooth when il is subjected to a
force acting along ils palh of withdrawal. Retention
is developed by appropriate tooth preparation and
adaptation of the casting. Preparation form is di-
rectly controlled by the dentist. The adaptation of
the casting is influenced by many variables, resulting
from the technical procedures employed during Fig 1 Cone and ring model
fabrication. While retention may be enhanced by inclined plane system.

The Inlemationaljoumai of Praitliodonticï 196 Volume I, Nun

 Mech.initat Relertion of ttie Coniplele Crown

inclined plane system composed of a cone and a is zero. Conversely, as the taper of the cone de-
ring. Both parts are made of rigid materials and all creases, the magnitude of the horizontal compo-
surfaces are smooth. The taper of the cone is de- nents increase while the magnitude of the vertical
scribed by < Ö, the angular measurement between components diminishes. When < Ö approaches 0°,
the vertical axis of the cone and its side. The hole the retentive capacity will be greatest. When the
in the ring is tapered to match the taper of the cone. sides of the cone become parallel ( < Ö = 0°), there
If the parts are assembled as illustrated until they
make passive contact, they can be easily separated.
When an additional load is applied to force the parts
together, it becomes more difficult to separate them.
The greater the load applied to force the parts to-
gether, the more they resist separation. This rela-
tionship can be expressed mathematically by the
equation; R = kF, when R = resistance to sepa-
ration; F = force or load; k = constant.
Figure 2 illustrates the interface between the cone
and the ring in horizontal cross-section. The load
(F) creates stress and strain within the system, which
is transferred to the cone and the ring across the
interface in a direction perpendicular to its surface.
Because the objects are circular in cross-section, the
ring is stretched and the cone becomes com-
pressed. The compression ofthe cone and the ten-
sion within the ring create stress and strain (stored
energy], which tends to expend itself with equal
magnitude in a direction opposite the force that
produced it.
Figure 3 is a vector force diagram ofthe interface Fig 2 Horizontal cross-section through cone and ring. The
arrows represent vectors that produce the compression and
between the cone and the ring in vertical cross- tension in the system.
section. The compression (O and tension (T) are
represented by the vectors C and T, which lie mid-
way between the top and bottom of the ring and
perpendicular to the interface. Vectors C and T can
be described in terms of their honzontal (C" and
T"] and vertical ( C and T*) components. The hor-
izontal components represent the forces that hold
the objects together; the vertical components rep-
resent the forces that push the components apart.
The difference between the horizontal and vertical
forces represents the retentive capacity of the sys-
tem (k), mathematically expressed in the following
equation:
A- = (C" -f T") - {O- + r)
when k = retentive capacity (% of the applied force);
C = vector producing compression; T = vector
producing tension; C" = horizontal component of
C; T" = horizontal component of T; C* = vertical
component of C; T' = vertical component of T.
It becomes apparent by inspection that as the
taper of the cone ( < Ö) increases, the magnitude of
the horizontal componentsdiminishesand the mag-
nitude of the vertical components increases. When
< Ö is 45°, the vertical and horizontal components
are equal, and the retentive capacity of the system Fig 3 Vertical cross-section through cone and ring.

The Intemational Journal of Prosthodóntica

 Zuckerman Mechanical Retention of ihe Complete Crown

will be no retention, because the cone (now a cyl- ternal surface of the crown, no further movement
inder) will pass through the ring, creating neither of the parts together is possible. Loading the system
tension nor compression. This relationship can be at this point will not produce any increase in reten-
expressed mathematicaily: tion.
Obvio jsiy, the adaptation ofthe casting must also
lfC + T = 1 unit or the total (100%) force applied
be considered. If retention is to be created, the axial
to the system, then
walls of the tooth and crown must contact before
COS 6 = C"/C or C^' C cos d the crown seats completely.
cos $ = T'VT or T" = T cos 8
The adaptation of the casting, again, is influenced
sin 6 = eye or C^ C sin 6
by many variables resulting from the technical pro-
sin d ^ V/J or T^ = T sin e
cedures employed during its production. A cast res-
Since k - {C + T") •- (C^-' + T'), it follows by
toration may be too large or too small, or it may be
substitution and factoring that
distorted. It is possible to analyze and predict the
k = (C cos 6 + T co;iö) - (C sin (î + T sin effect of an oversized or undersized casting on re-
= (C + T } cos 6 -- (c + T) sin 0 tention. Distortion can be random and its effect on
the adaptation of the crown, and ultimately the re-
Since C + T = 1 unit of force, one concludes that tention, is difficult to analyze.
k = cos Ö — sin 6.
Figure 5 illustrates a crown-tooth assembly with
Figure 4 shows this equation plotted on a graph. a perfect adaptation. There is intimate contact of
The ability of this system to resist separation de-
pends on the magnitude of the load forcing the parts
together and the taper of the cone and matching
ring. This relationship Is defined by the equation: R
= f (cos e - sin e).
Friction is another factor that influences the re-
tention of the couple, Friction is the resistance of
the parts when sliding one part against the other. It
is a function ofthe surface texture and composition
of the parts (/) and the surface area (A) in contact
between them. The force required to overcome this
resistance during assembly and separation is an ad-
ditional factor that contributes to the retention of
the couple. Mathematically this relationship is de-
scribed by the equation: R = fA, when R = reten-
tion, / = frictional resistance/unit area; A ^ area of
contact. By adding this to the original equation, a
complete mathematical definition of the retention
of the system is obtained:
Fig 4 Graph illustrating the relationship between the taper
of the system {d) and the portion of the seating force that
R ^ F (cos 6 - sin 9) + fA produces retention {k).
This mathematical relationship can be applied to
a crown and tooth assembly. However, to apply the
information correctly, it is necessary to recognize
the similarities and differences between the actual
clinical situation and the hypothetical analogue pre-
viously described and analyzed.
The ring, which corresponds to the crown, is uni-
formly tapered and open on both ends. It has no
definite seat on the cone. The ring and the cone
can be assembled until the walls of the cone contact
ihe internal walls of the ring. The system can then
be loaded by force to produce retention.
The crown has a definite seat on the prepared
tooth. Once the occlusal surface or the shoulder of
the prepared tooth contacts the corresponding in- Fig 5 Crown-tooth assembly with perfect adaptation.

The International lournal of Prosthodontics 198 Volume 1, Number 2. 1988

 Mechanir.il Retention of the Complele Crnwn Zuckerman

Fig 6 Undersized casting on a tooth prepared with a feather- Fig 7 Undersized casting on a tooth prepared with a shoul-
edge margin. der margin.

the crown and tooth along the entire interface. Un- interface between the tooth and the casting will be
der these circumstances, there is no retention. open except at the shoulder, and the margins of the
Figure 6 illustrates a tooth prepared with a feather- casting will overhang slightly. There will be no re-
edge margin and adapted with a casting that is too tention.
small. The axial walls of the casting will bind with Figure 9 illustrates a tooth prepared with a feather-
the tooth before the casting seats completely. The edge margin and adapted with a casting that is too
additional force required to seat the restoration will large. This assembly will not be retentive, and the
create retention. Whether the restoration will seat margins of the casting will overhang slightly. The
completely at this point depends on the magnitude axial walls will remain out of contact if the gingivo-
of the load, the size discrepancy between the crown occlusal discrepancy does not completely compen-
and the tooth, the elasticity of the casting, and the sate for the lateral size discrepancy.
compressibility of the dentin. Note that the margins By selective relief, it is possible to modify some
of the casting are closed against the tooth even if ofthe circumstances described. If occlusal relief were
the casting does not seat completely. provided for the the crown-tooth assembly in Fig
Figure 7 represents a tooth prepared with a shoul- 5, the restoration would become retentive. This
der and adapted with a casting that is too small. This would, however, take the restoration out of occlusal
casting will be retentive. If the size discrepancy be- contact. By relieving the axial walls of the castings
tween the crown and the tooth is too great, the described in Figs 6 and 7, their retention would be
crown will not seat completely and the butt joint at eliminated.
the shoulder will remain open. Finally, there is the unanswered question regard-
Figure 8 depicts a tooth prepared with a shoulder ing the relative retention of the complete versus
and adapted with a casting that is too large. The partial veneer crown. Investigators'"^ have recog-

Fig 8 Oversized casting on a tooth prepared with a shoulder Fig 9 Oversized casting on a tooth prepared with a feather-
margin. edge margin.

Volume 1, Number 2, 1988 199 The lntern¿ilíonal lournal ot' Prosthodonlics

 al Retenlion of the Complfte Cn

nized, but could not explain, the significantlygreater tooth preparation. The force required to overcome
retention of the complete crown as compared with the frictional resistance of the contacting surfaces of
the retention of the 3/4 or 7/8 partial veneer crowns the tooth and restoration produces additional re-
of similiar size and configuration. It is now possible tention. Frictional retention is a product of the sur-
to tinderstand this phenomenon. The partial veneer face configuration of the parts and the size of the
crown lacks circumferential continuity. These res- area in contact.
torations are more easily distorted by lateral expan-
sion of their axial walls during forced seating. When
this occurs, the compression-tension effect is lost References
and the retention of the restoration considerably 1. Reisbick MH, Shillingburg HT: Effect of preparation ge-
reduced. ometry on retention and resistance of cast sold reîtorations,
I Calif Dent Assoc :975: 3;51.
2. Potts RG, Shillingburg HT |r, Duncanson MC |r: Retention
Summary and resistance of preparations for cast restorations. / Frosthet
Denn 980; 43:303.
Retention of the complete crown is influenced by 3. Rosenstiel E: The retention of inlays and crowns as a func-
a complex relationship that is developed between tion of geometrical form, Br Dent n9S7] 103-388.
4. Owen CP: Factors influencing the retention and resistance
the crown preparation and the adaptation of the
of preparations for cast intracoronal restorations, / Prosthet
restoration. If mechanical retention is to be estab- Dent 1986; 55:674.
lished, the axial walls of the tooth preparation and 5. Lorey RE, Myers GE: The retentive qualities of bridge re-
the restoration must contact before the crown seats tainers. ; Am Dent Assoc 1968; 76:568.
completely. The force that is then applied to seat 6. Kaufman EG, Coelho DH, Colin L: Factors influencing the
the crown produces retention by creating compres- retention of cemented gold castings. / Prosthet Dent 1967;
sion of the tooth and tension within the crown. The 11:487.
7. Jorgensen KD: The relationship between retention and con-
portion of the force that produces this retention is
vergence angle in cemented veneer crowns. Acta Odontol
determined by the taper of the axial walls of the Scand 1955; 13:35.

Literature Abstract-

In Vitro Resistance of Composite Resin Dowel and

Cores

The resistance of selected composite resin dowel and core systems to oblique forces was compared.
Extracted nonrestored, noncarious human mandibular mclars were prepared to imitate endodontic
therapy and restored with either: prefabricated dowels in conjunction with a composite resin cere
material; all composite resin cores consisting of composite resin core material; prefabricated dowels in
conjunction with two combined composite resin materials; ali composite resin cores consisting of two
combined composite resin materials: or conventional cast dowel and cores. Specimens were subjected
to a slowly increasing force from the buccal side at 45 degrees to their long axis. The mean
resistance levels of the tour composite resin systems were significantly lower than the mean
resistance level of the tested cast dowel and cores. Tfie introduction of a prefabricated dowel or
composite resin combination did not have any significant infiuence on the recorded resistance ieveis of
the composite resin core systems. Systems without a dowel showed less negative failure
characteristics after breakdown, and restoration was considered to be possible.
Plasmans PJM, Welle PR, Vri)lioef MMA. J Endod 19B8; 17:300-304. References: 34. Reprints: Dr PJM Plasmans,
Department ot Occlusal Reconstruction, Dental School, Unii/ersily ot hJijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.—flic/iarö
R. Seals. Jr, DDS, MEd, MS. The University ot Tenas Health Science Center at San Antonio

alional lournal of Prostliodoniic; 200 Volume 1, Numt.