Effect of pontic framework design on the fracture resistance of implant-supported all-ceramic fixed partial dentures.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare the fracture resistance of implant-supported all-ceramic fixed partial dentures, which have three different pontic designs.


METHODS
Two implants were placed in a metal model simulating mandibular left second premolar and mandibular left second molar. Thirty standardized 3-unit all-ceramic fixed partial dentures with biconvex, convex or concave pontic designs were fabricated using IPS e.max system (n=10). Afterwards, specimens were centrally loaded on the pontics until failure with a universal testing machine. Results were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests at 5% significance level.


RESULTS
The fracture resistance values of all-ceramic fixed partial dentures designed with biconvex, convex or concave pontics were 349.71, 438.20 and 300.78 N, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between the fracture resistances of the groups (p>0.05), except for convex and concave groups (p<0.05 and p=0.009, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Convex design showed the best mechanical properties as demonstrated by the high values of fracture resistance.
Inan
Ozgur
O
Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Selcuk, Konya, Turkey.
Secilmis
Asli
A
Eraslan
Oguz
O
D001641:Bicuspid; D000044:Dental Abutments; D015921:Dental Implants; D003776:Dental Porcelain / Q000737:chemistry; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation; D003779:Denture Design; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible; D008422:Materials Testing; D003765:Models, Dental; D008963:Molar; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties
D015921:Dental Implants; C508050:IPS e.max Press; D003776:Dental Porcelain