Influence of abutment model materials on the fracture loads of three-unit fixed dental prostheses

This study evaluated and compared the influence of different supporting abutment models on the fracture loads of three-unit fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) fabricated from the following materials (n=24/material): (i) IPS e.max CAD-on, (ii) IPS e.max ZirCAD, and (iii) Telio CAD. Twelve FDPs of each group were adhesively cemented on a polymeric model and on a base metal alloy one. For the fracture load test the FDPs were loaded at the centre of the pontic (1 mm/min). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, two- and one-way ANOVA followed by post-hoc Scheffé test and Weibull statistics. Fracture loads were found to be affected by the choice of materials used for the abutment models. The fracture load for zirconia FDPs cemented on metal abutments was higher than on polymeric abutment group. In contrast, Telio CAD cemented on polymeric abutments presented higher fracture loads than group on base metal alloy support.