A prospective study of implant-supported full-arch yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal mandibular fixed dental prostheses: three-year results.
OBJECTIVE
The development of high-strength oxide ceramic materials has led to increased interest in all-ceramic fixed dental prostheses (FDPs). Success rates reported in clinical studies for all-ceramic FDPs based on high-strength oxide ceramic materials reportedly approach those of porcelain-fused-to-metal FDPs. These reconstructions, however, are still of limited size and have mainly concerned FDPs supported by natural teeth. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical performance of multiunit all-ceramic FDPs supported by dental implants.


METHODS
Ten patients received mandibular yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) FDPs manufactured according to the Cercon technique and supported by four Astra Tech implants. Nine patients received 10-unit FDPs and one patient received a 9-unit FDP. The FDPs were cemented with Panavia F 2.0 onto individually prepared titanium abutments. The FDPs were evaluated at baseline and after 12, 24, and 36 months.


RESULTS
At the 3-year follow-up, all FDPs were in use, and all patients were fully satisfied with their treatment. None of the reconstructions had fractured. Superficial chip-off fractures of the veneering porcelain were, however, observed in nine patients (34 of 99 units, 34%).


CONCLUSIONS
Results from this 3-year study suggest that implant-supported full-arch Y-TZP FDPs manufactured according to the Cercon technique should be viewed as a treatment alternative cautiously. A better understanding of the factors resulting in chip-off fractures is needed, together with longer follow-up studies involving larger numbers of patients, before the material and technique can be recommended for general use.
Larsson
Christel
C
Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, Sweden. christel.larsson@od.mah.se
Vult von Steyern
Per
P
Nilner
Krister
K
D000368:Aged; D002484:Cementation / Q000379:methods; D015921:Dental Implants; D018772:Dental Marginal Adaptation; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D003776:Dental Porcelain / Q000737:chemistry*; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003801:Dental Veneers; D003779:Denture Design; D003826:Denture, Complete, Lower; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019279:Resin Cements / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015019:Yttrium / Q000737:chemistry*; D015040:Zirconium
D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials; C438843:Panavia-Fluoro; D019279:Resin Cements; C499362:yttria stabilized tetragonal zirconia; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D015019:Yttrium; D015040:Zirconium; D014025:Titanium