Zirconia resin-bonded fixed partial dentures in the anterior maxilla.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the fracture resistance of resin-bonded fixed partial dentures (RBFPDs) by examining the influence of framework design and abutment mobility.


METHODS
RBFPD frameworks were made of zirconia (Cercon Base, Degudent) or a nonprecious alloy (reference; Dentitan, Elephant Dental) and veneered with ceramic (Cercon Ceram S, Degudent). The zirconia framework design varied between a 2-retainer RBFPD with 3 different levels of tooth mobility (groups 1 to 3) and a 1-retainer cantilever version with 2 different grades of tooth mobility (groups 4 and 5). To achieve different mobility (rigid, medium, movable), the roots of the teeth were covered with a polyether material of different thicknesses. All RBFPDs were adhesively luted on prepared human teeth (Panavia 21 Ex, Kuraray). The specimens were mechanically (1.2 x 10(6); 25 N) and thermally (6,000 x 5 degrees C/55 degrees C; 2 minutes per cycle) cycled and finally loaded to failure (universal testing machine 1445, Zwick) at a speed of 1 mm/min.


RESULTS
The fracture force of the reference RBFPD (541 N) was significantly higher than that of both cantilever RBFPDs (group 4 = 271 N, group 5 = 104 N) and one 2-retainer group with rigid abutments (group 3 = 150 N). With 2 movable abutments, the fracture force increased to 261 N (group 1) and with mixed movable/rigid teeth to 324 N (group 2). Zirconia RBFPDs showed improved survival with increased tooth mobility, but the framework design showed only a minor influence on loss rate and fracture resistance.


CONCLUSIONS
Assuming chewing forces in anterior areas between 200 and 300 N, 1- and 2-retainer zirconia RBFPDs may be suitable as minimally invasive provisional alternatives to metal-supported RBFPDs.
Rosentritt
Martin
M
Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Regensburg University Medical Center, Germany. Martin.Rosentritt@klinik.uni-regensburg.de
Kolbeck
Carola
C
Ries
Stefan
S
Gross
Marlen
M
Behr
Michael
M
Handel
Gerhard
G
D003481:Cuspid; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D003779:Denture Design; D016379:Denture, Partial, Fixed, Resin-Bonded; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor; D008437:Maxilla; D019279:Resin Cements; D014086:Tooth Mobility; D019231:Tooth Preparation, Prosthodontic; D015040:Zirconium
D019279:Resin Cements; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D015040:Zirconium; C028541:zirconium oxide