title: Retrospective analysis of 26 complete-arch implant-supported monolithic zirconia prostheses with feldspathic porcelain veneering limited to the facial surface.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Monolithic zirconia prostheses on teeth or implants have been proposed in recent years as a potential treatment. To date, limited data regarding the outcomes of these prostheses have been presented and are mainly based on limited sample size and short-term follow-up. Data on complete-arch monolithic zirconia prostheses are relatively scarce.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical performances of 26 implant-supported, complete-arch, monolithic zirconia restorations with facial feldspathic porcelain veneers for the rehabilitation of completely edentulous patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients' charts from 2 private practices from 2010 to 2013 were reviewed. Patients rehabilitated with a complete-arch implant-supported monolithic zirconia prostheses were included in the study. Several parameters were recorded so as to evaluate the outcome of these rehabilitations: implant survival and success rates, prosthesis survival rate, interproximal bone loss, periimplant probing depth, and bleeding on probing. The number and type of prosthetic complications were also recorded. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighteen patients were treated with a total of 26 complete-arch fixed prostheses. The mean follow-up time was 20.9 months (SD 13.6; range, 10 to 36 months). In total, 154 implants were placed supporting 309 retainers and pontics. The implant survival rate was 100% and the success rate was 94.8%. Mean bone loss was 0.66 mm (SD 0.59 mm). Mean probing depth was 3.4 mm (SD 0.92 mm). Bleeding on probing was positive in 19% of probing sites. The prosthesis survival rate was 100%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this retrospective evaluation showed that monolithic zirconia restorations with facial porcelain veneer provided satisfactory clinical performance and suggest that these rehabilitations are a viable treatment option for completely edentulous patients.
authors.affiliation: Private practice, Bari, Italy. Electronic address: pierovenezia@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Venezia
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics and Prosthodontics, Eastman Dental Hospital, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Ferruccio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Torsello
authors.affiliation: Private practice, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cavalcanti
authors.affiliation: Aggregate Professor, Multidisciplinary Department of Medicine and Dentistry, Unit of Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: D'Amato
mesh_terms: D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D015921:Dental Implants; D003776:Dental Porcelain / Q000737:chemistry*; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003801:Dental Veneers; D003779:Denture Design; D006801:Humans; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000150:complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015040:Zirconium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D015040:Zirconium; C028541:zirconium oxide