Five-year clinical results of zirconia frameworks for posterior fixed partial dentures

Int J Prosthodont. 2007 Jul-Aug;20(4):383-8.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this prospective clinical cohort study was to determine the success rate of 3- to 5-unit zirconia frameworks for posterior fixed partial dentures (FPDs) after 5 years of clinical observation.

Materials and methods: Forty-five patients who needed at least 1 FPD to replace 1 to 3 posterior teeth were included in the study. Fifty-seven 3- to 5-unit FPDs with zirconia frameworks were cemented with 1 of 2 resin cements (Variolink or Panavia TC). The following parameters were evaluated at baseline, after 6 months, and 1 to 5 years after cementation at test (abutments) and control (contralateral) teeth: probing pocket depth, probing attachment level, Plaque Index, bleeding on probing, and tooth vitality. Intraoral radiographs of the FPDs were taken. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and the McNemar test.

Results: Twenty-seven patients with 33 zirconia FPDs were examined after a mean observation period of 53.4 +/- 13 months. Eleven patients with 17 FPDs were lost to follow-up. After the 3-year recall visit, 7 FPDs in 7 patients were replaced because they were not clinically acceptable due to biologic or technical complications. After 5 years of clinical observation, 12 FPDs in 12 patients had to be replaced. One 5-unit FPD fractured as a result of trauma after 38 months. The success rate of the zirconia frameworks was 97.8%; however, the survival rate was 73.9% due to other complications. Secondary caries was found in 21.7% of the FPDs, and chipping of the veneering ceramic in 15.2%. There were no significant differences between the periodontal parameters of the test and control teeth.

Conclusions: Zirconia offers sufficient stability as a framework material for 3- and 4-unit posterior FPDs. The fit of the frameworks and veneering ceramics, however, should be improved.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cementation
  • Cohort Studies
  • Dental Abutments
  • Dental Alloys / chemistry*
  • Dental Caries / classification
  • Dental Plaque Index
  • Dental Restoration Failure
  • Dental Veneers
  • Denture Design*
  • Denture, Partial, Fixed*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methacrylates / chemistry
  • Middle Aged
  • Periodontal Attachment Loss / classification
  • Periodontal Index
  • Periodontal Pocket / classification
  • Prospective Studies
  • Resin Cements / chemistry
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Zirconium / chemistry*

Substances

  • Dental Alloys
  • Methacrylates
  • Resin Cements
  • Panavia TC
  • Variolink
  • Zirconium
  • zirconium oxide