title: Implant-supported full-arch zirconia-based mandibular fixed dental prostheses. Eight-year results from a clinical pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the long-term clinical performance of implant-supported full-arch zirconia-based fixed dental prostheses (FDPs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten patients received full-arch zirconia-based (Cercon) mandibular FDPs supported by four implants (Astra Tech). Nine patients received 10-unit FDPs and one patient received a 9-unit FDP. The FDPs were cemented onto individually prepared titanium abutments and were evaluated at baseline and after 12, 24, 36 and 96 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine patients attended the 8-year follow-up. None of the restorations showed bulk fracture, all FDPs were in use. Fractures of the veneering porcelain were, however, observed in eight patients. A total of 36 out of 89 units (40%) showed such fractures. Patient satisfaction was excellent despite the veneering material fractures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results from this 8-year pilot study suggest that implant-supported full-arch zirconia-based FDPs can be an acceptable treatment alternative.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Technology, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden. christel.larsson@mah.se
authors.forename: Christel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Larsson
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vult Von Steyern
mesh_terms: D017266:Dental Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015040:Zirconium
chemical_list: D015040:Zirconium