Clinical behavior of zirconia-based fixed partial dentures made of DC-Zirkon: 3-year results

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the clinical performance of anterior and posterior fixed partial dentures (FPDs) with frameworks made using DC-Zirkon after a mean observation time of 3 years.

Forty-six patients with 1 to 3 missing anterior or posterior teeth were included in this study. All abutment teeth were prepared for full crowns with a chamfer preparation of 0.6 to 0.8 mm. The zirconia frameworks were produced with the Precident DCS system and veneered with veneering porcelain (Vita D). A self-curing resin cement was used for the anterior FPDs and a conventional zinc oxide phosphate cement was used for the posterior FPDs.

Fifteen anterior FPDs and 50 posterior FPDs were recalled at least once a year after cementation. The mean observation period was 38 (+/- 18.0) months for the anterior FPDs and 37 (+/- 15.5) months for the posterior FPDs. Within the observation time, no remakes were necessary, but in 4 cases a small chipping of the veneering material occurred in the posterior region. Two FPDs were recemented after decementation, and 3 teeth needed endodontic treatment. No negative influences at the gingival margin were observed.

Within the mean observation time of 3 years, zirconia-based FPDs demonstrated a sufficient success rate under clinical conditions. However, special attention should be paid to designing the zirconia framework to ensure a sufficient veneering layer thickness with a range between 1 to 2 mm.