Authors: LARSSON, C.¹; HOLM, L.²; LÖVGREN, N.³; KOKUBO, Y.⁴; VULT VON STEYERN, P.¹

Source: Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, Volume 34, Number 9, September 2007 , pp. 702-709(8)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

Summary 

Reported clinical success rates of all-ceramic fixed partial dentures (FPDs) made of high-strength oxide ceramics range between 82·5% and 100%. The main cause of all-ceramic FPD failure is fracture in the connector area. There is, however, no consensus on what connector dimensions are adequate. The aim of this in-vitro study was, therefore, to compare the fracture strength of four-unit Y-TZP FPD cores designed with different connector diameters. A total of 40 four-unit FPD cores supported by end abutments and having two pontics were manufactured in Procera^® Zirconia. Five groups of FPD cores with connector dimensions of 2·0, 2·5, 3·0, 3·5 and 4·0 mm were produced. All FPD cores underwent a firing programme according to the manufacturer's recommendations for the veneering porcelain, a cyclic preload, thermocycling and finally, load until fracture. Fracture strength was significantly higher for each increase in connector diameter except for the 2·0-mm and 2·5-mm diameters where all fractures occurred during preload. All FPD cores fractured in the connector area. Within the limitations of this in-vitro study, a minimum diameter of 4·0 mm is recommended for all-ceramic zirconia-based FPDs with long spans or replacing molars. Clinical studies are, however, needed to determine adequate connector dimensions.

Keywords: dental ceramic; all-ceramic; fixed partial dentures; fracture strength; connector dimension

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2842.2007.01770.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden 2: Private Practice, Malmö, Sweden 3: Public Dental Health Service, Malmö, Sweden 4: Dental Medicine, Tsurumi University, Tsurumi, Japan

Publication date: 2007-09-01

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