title: Fracture resistance of fixed partial dentures supported by different abutment combinations: an ex vivo study.
abstract: This study sought to compare the fracture resistance of and categorize failure modes exhibited by fixed partial dentures (FPDs) supported by natural teeth, implants, or mixed tooth-implant abutments. Three groups utilized three different abutment combinations: all natural teeth, all implants, and a mixture of teeth and implants. The teeth were prepared and zero-angled titanium abutments were installed over the implants. Standardized conventional three-unit porcelain-fused-to-metal FPDs were fabricated, following the conventional ceramic build-up technique. The inner surfaces of the bridges were air-abraded (50 μm Aluminum Oxide at 80 psi), cleaned in an ultrasonic bath for 10 minutes, and cemented over abutments using glass ionomer cement. The FPDs were fixed in a universal testing machine and compressed to fracture using a three-unit metal block at a 5 mm/minute crosshead speed.   Fracture loads ranged from 460 to 5,700 N. Bridges supported by either implant abutments only or mixed implant-tooth abutments showed higher fracture loads (2,940 and 3,390 N, respectively) than those supported entirely by natural teeth (1,386 N) (p < 0.05). However, fracture of the veneering porcelain was common among all types of abutments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Fixed Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Jordan University of Science & Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
authors.forename: Ahed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Wahadni
authors.forename: Hussain
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Al-Saleh
authors.forename: Firas
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Al-Quran
authors.forename: Muhanad M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Hatamleh
mesh_terms: D000044:Dental Abutments; D015921:Dental Implants; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants