A 3-year retrospective and clinical follow-up study of zirconia single crowns performed in a private practice.
OBJECTIVE
All-ceramic crowns have become increasingly used also in the posterior regions, but there are only few studies documenting the clinical outcome of these restorations. The aim was therefore to present the 3-year outcome of zirconia (NobelProcera) single crowns.


METHODS
All patients treated with porcelain-veneered zirconia single crowns in a private practice during the period October 2004 to November 2005 were included. The patient records were scrutinized for data on the restorations and the supporting teeth. Information was available for 161 patients and 204 crowns. At the 3-year recall appointments, a sample of 18 patients with 25 crowns was clinically examined and interviewed regarding patient satisfaction.


RESULTS
Most crowns (78%) were placed on premolars and molars. The clinical outcome of the crowns was favourable. No zirconia core fractured and no caries was observed on the abutment teeth. Some types of complication were recorded for 32 (16%) crowns or abutment teeth. The most severe complications, in total 12 restorations (6%), were recorded as failures: abutment tooth was extracted (5), remake of crown due to lost retention (4), veneer fracture (2) and persistent pain (1). The CDA criteria for 25 crowns were rated favourably, and patient satisfaction with the zirconia crowns was in general high.


CONCLUSIONS
The porcelain-veneered zirconia crowns (NobelProcera) showed good clinical results, were well accepted by the patients, and only few complications were reported over the 3-year follow-up period.
Ortorp
Anders
A
Department Prosthetic Dentistry/Dental Materials Science, Institute of Odontology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden. anders.ortorp@odontologi.gu.se
Kihl
Maria Lind
ML
Carlsson
Gunnar E
GE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001641:Bicuspid; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D003442:Crowns; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003801:Dental Veneers; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar; D011331:Private Practice; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019231:Tooth Preparation, Prosthodontic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015040:Zirconium
D003776:Dental Porcelain; D015040:Zirconium; C028541:zirconium oxide