Prospective observation of CAD/CAM titanium-ceramic-fixed partial dentures: 3-year follow-up

There is lack of knowledge about the clinical performance of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) titanium-ceramic-fixed partial dentures (FPDs). The purpose of this study was to evaluate CAD/CAM titanium-ceramic FPDs after 3 years in function.

Thirty-one FPDs were fabricated for 23 patients. The Ti frameworks were completely fabricated using CAD/CAM technology, and the low-fusing porcelain was veneered. After confirming there were no mechanical or biological complications, the FPDs were cemented using zinc phosphate cement. The patients were recalled at 12, 24, and 36 months after cementation to examine for the presence of any mechanical complications, such as fractures of the veneering porcelain or the supportive framework, or biological complications, including caries, gingivitis, or periodontitis. The periodontal condition was measured using probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and plaque index (PI). Success and survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier analysis.

There were four cohesive and three adhesive porcelain fractures, but no framework fractured. The Kaplan-Meier cumulative success rate of the CAD/CAM titanium-ceramic crown with regard to mechanical complications was 76.4%, and the cumulative survival rate was 96.8% after 3 years of use. One patient developed caries, but the condition was not associated with marginal discrepancy. No other biological complications were reported. The periodontal parameters demonstrated a tendency that slightly increased up to 24 months and was maintained by 36 months. At the end of the follow-up, PD was 2.86 mm, percentile of surface with BOP was 23.5, and PI was 0.45.

The CAD/CAM titanium-ceramic FPDs survived in the mouths of patients without major complications for 3 years, although the risk of porcelain fracture appeared to be relatively high.