Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical performance of fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) with computer-aided design (CAD)/computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)-fabricated titanium substructures veneered with low-fusing porcelain after 6 years.
Materials and methods: Thirty-one FDPs for 23 patients were fabricated. The frameworks were designed and milled using an early version of a dental CAD/CAM system. Checkups were performed annually.
Results: Complications totaled ten porcelain fractures, one substructure fracture, and one biologic failure. The success rate was calculated at 58.6 % and the survival rate at 88 % (Kaplan-Meier analysis).
Conclusion: The clinical performance of the described technique for FDPs with titanium substructures was poor. Therefore, the presented concept cannot be recommended.
Clinical relevance: CAD/CAM-fabricated titanium substructures veneered with the powder build-up technique showed poor clinical outcome after 6 years.