Probability of failure of highly filled indirect resin-veneered implant-supported restorations: an in vitro study

The study compared the probability of failure of three highly filled resin-veneered restorations to that of conventional metal-ceramic restorations when used as implant-supported prostheses. The effect of the location of load application on the fracture resistance of the restorations was also studied.

Twenty samples each of the three resins, Artglass, Targis, and Estenia, were applied on type IV gold frameworks. Twenty metal-ceramic restorations of equal dimensions (VMK 95 and Degudent Universal) were used as controls. Compressive load was applied vertically at 1 mm (n = 10) and 2 mm (n = 10) from the periphery of the occlusal table until the restorations failed. Weibull analysis was applied to the data.

There was no significant difference in the probability of failure among the metal-ceramic restorations and three resin-veneered restoration systems. Loading the resin-veneered restorations at the 1-mm location significantly increased their probability of failure when compared to the 2-mm loading location. The loading location did not significantly change the probability of failure of the metal-ceramic restorations.

The probability of failure of resin-veneered restorations tested was not significantly different from that of the metal-ceramic restoration under two compressive loading conditions. Eccentric loading of resin-veneered restorations should be minimized in light of the higher probability of failure associated with such a loading condition.