title: Fracture strength of yttria-stabilized zirconium-dioxide (Y-TZP) fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) with different abutment core thicknesses and connector dimensions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the fracture strength and fracture mode of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) posterior three-unit FDPs with varying connector dimension and abutment core thickness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy 3-unit posterior FDP cores made of Y-TZP were divided into 7 groups with varying connector dimensions and abutment core thicknesses. All the FDPs underwent a simulated aging process including veneering, firing applications, thermocycling, and cyclic preloading. Finally the FDPs were subjected to load until fracture.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant difference was seen between the different subgroups (p < 0.05). Groups with the same connector dimension showed no significant difference in fracture strength. All fractures of the specimens involved the connector.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the limitations of this in vitro study, it can be concluded that the strength of an all-ceramic Y-TZP FDP beam depends more on the connector dimension than on the thickness of the abutment core. Results indicate that the minimum abutment core thickness of an all-ceramic Y-TZP FDP might be reduced, compared to the recommended thickness, without reducing the strength of the reconstruction. This indication, however, needs to be verified by further studies before being considered generally applicable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Technology, Malmö University, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö, Sweden. marcusambre@gmail.com
authors.forename: Marcus J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ambré
authors.forename: Fredrik
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aschan
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vult von Steyern
mesh_terms: D003080:Cold Temperature; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003801:Dental Veneers; D003779:Denture Design; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D011176:Post and Core Technique / Q000295:instrumentation; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D019231:Tooth Preparation, Prosthodontic / Q000379:methods; D015019:Yttrium / Q000737:chemistry*; D015040:Zirconium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D003764:Dental Materials; C499362:yttria stabilized tetragonal zirconia; D015019:Yttrium; D015040:Zirconium
keywords: Yttria-stabilized zirconium-dioxide; abutment core thickness; connector dimension; fixed dental prosthesis; fracture strength