Five-year clinical prospective evaluation of zirconia-based Denzir 3-unit FPDs.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the clinical performance of fully sintered hot isostatic pressed yttria-partially-stabilized zirconia (Denzir) 3-unit fixed partial dentures (FPDs).


METHODS
Nineteen 3-unit FPDs were placed in 18 patients. Ten FPDs were placed in the maxilla and 9 in the mandible. Two calibrated examiners evaluated the FPDs independently 1 week (baseline), 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years after placement using the California Dental Association quality evaluation system.


RESULTS
All FPDs were intact at the 5-year examination. One FPD lost retention after 12 months but remained intact; it was recemented and is still in function after 5 years. All FPDs were rated satisfactory over 5 years. No changes were seen in terms of color and anatomic form. The number of slightly rough or pitted occlusal surfaces increased approximately 30% over 5 years. Visible evidence of ditching along the margin increased over time, but only for those FPDs luted with zinc phosphate cement.


CONCLUSIONS
The 5-year results indicate that yttria-partially-stabilized zirconia 3-unit FPDs with anatomically designed frameworks are promising prosthetic alternatives, even in the premolar and molar regions. However, for all-ceramic FPDs with more units in function, further studies are necessary.
Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. margareta.molin@odont.umu.se
Margareta K
MK
Molin
Stig L
SL
Karlsson
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002484:Cementation; D003116:Color; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D003776:Dental Porcelain / Q000737:chemistry; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003801:Dental Veneers; D003779:Denture Design; D003781:Denture Retention; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019279:Resin Cements / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015036:Zinc Phosphate Cement / Q000737:chemistry; D015040:Zirconium / Q000737:chemistry
D003764:Dental Materials; C453860:Denzir; C438843:Panavia-Fluoro; D019279:Resin Cements; C502262:vita veneering ceramic D; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D015036:Zinc Phosphate Cement; D015040:Zirconium; C028541:zirconium oxide