Abstract: PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between size of different connectors and bending strength of cast porcelain materials. METHODS: The samples were divided into 5 groups according to the area of all-porcelain materials and simulated connector. In group A, simulated connector with cast porcelain material with a cross-section of 2 mm×3 mm was selected; In group B, simulated connector with cast porcelain material with a cross-section of 2 mm×4 mm was selected; In group C, simulated connector with cast porcelain material with a cross-section of 3 mm×3 mm was selected; In group D, simulated connector with cast porcelain material with a cross-section of 3 mm×4 mm was selected; In group E, simulated connector with zirconium oxide material with a cross-section of 2 mm×3 mm was selected. The fracture load was tested using classical three-point bending experiment, statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 18.0 software package. RESULTS: For lithium disilicate cast porcelain, the fracture load increased with increasing cross section area, but both below the shear zirconia fracture load with a cross section of 2 mm×3 mm(P<0.05).The increase in width increased the fracture load of porcelain samples compared to the length. CONCLUSIONS: It is suitable to increase linker area when cast porcelain is applied to single-end bridge, which is especially achieved by increasing the width at the linker.

Key words: Cast porcelain, Connector, Three-point bending