Three-year clinical evaluation of In-Ceram Zirconia posterior FPDs.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical performance of In-Ceram Zirconia posterior fixed partial dentures (FPD) after 3 years in service.


METHODS
Eighteen In-Ceram Zirconia FPDs were fabricated in 16 patients. The FPDs were placed between January and April 1999. The CDA quality evaluation system was used for assessment of surface and color, anatomic form, and marginal integrity. Bleeding on probing was also recorded.


RESULTS
One of the 18 posterior FPDs was lost because of a root fracture. All remaining FPDs were rated as either excellent or acceptable after the observation period. Bleeding was more often recorded at crowned abutments with In-Ceram Zirconia than at contralateral teeth.


CONCLUSIONS
In-Ceram Zirconia posterior FPDs seem to be an acceptable treatment alternative in a 3-year perspective. However, more clinical long-term follow-up studies must be performed before the system can be recommended as an alternative to conventional FPDs.
Department of Buccofacial Prosthesis, Faculty of Odontology, University Complutense, Madrid, Spain. mjsuarez@odon.ucm.es
María Jesús
MJ
Suárez
José F L
JF
Lozano
María
M
Paz Salido
Francisco
F
Martínez
D000328:Adult; D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D003116:Color; D003442:Crowns; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D003776:Dental Porcelain / Q000737:chemistry*; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003779:Denture Design; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010512:Periodontal Index; D013499:Surface Properties; D014082:Tooth Fractures / Q000150:complications; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000293:injuries; D015040:Zirconium / Q000737:chemistry*
D003764:Dental Materials; D003776:Dental Porcelain; C070870:In-Ceram; D015040:Zirconium; D000537:Aluminum Oxide; C028541:zirconium oxide