Reliability and failure modes of implant-supported Y-TZP and MCR three-unit bridges

Effect of Staining, Glazing and Polishing on the Survival Probability of Monolithic Zirconia Crowns

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of staining, glazing, and polishing on the survival probability of monolithic crowns manufactured with preshaded stabilized zirconia with 5 mol% of yttrium oxide (5Y-TZP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Monolithic crowns in the shape of an upper canine (1.5 mm of thickness) were manufactured by CAD/CAM, adhesively cemented on metallic foundation, and divided into 6 groups (n = 21): C (control), S (staining), G (glazing), P (polishing), SG (staining and glazing), and SP (staining and polishing). The survival probability was determined by step-stress accelerated life testing with a load applied to the palatine concavity of the crown. First, the specimens were subjected to a single-load to fracture test (SLF) and next to the fatigue test (5 Hz, thermocycling immersed in water varying 5-55°C), including the light (n = 9), moderate (n = 6), and aggressive (n = 3) loading profiles (load ranged between 20% and 60% of SLF). The survival probability was calculated considering the cycles for failure (CFF) and fatigue failure load (FFL) and illustrated using a Kaplan-Meier graph. The comparison among groups was performed using a Log-Rank test (α = 0.05).

RESULTS

The mean value of SLF was 586.7 N. There was no difference among groups in survival probability, considering CFF and FFL.

CONCLUSION

Staining, glazing, and polishing can be performed safely without damaging the mechanical behavior of 5Y-TZP monolithic crowns.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Staining is used to characterize and improve the esthetic of zirconia monolithic crowns. It can be used to reproduce the color gradient in the cervical region of the crown and pigmented grooves. This study showed that staining, glazing, and polishing did not affect the survival probability and the use of finishing procedures (glazing or polishing) after staining did not improve the survival probability of zirconia monolithic crowns.

Immediate placement of extra-short implants in refined scapula tip microvascular free flaps: In house virtual planning and surgical technique - Proof of concept

Scapula tip flaps have been introduced in the literature as an ideal surgical treatment option for large defects in the horizontal plane of the maxilla. This article aims to present a unique step by step protocol for a near total maxillectomy with a pterygoid bone resection and consecutive microvascular reconstruction with a harvested scapula tip flap. The protocol includes immediate placement of extra-short implants in donor bone with the aid of Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP), and an in-house 3D printing of medical 3D models and surgical guides. So far, there has been no presented surgical technique combining immediate implant placement in the scapula region with simultaneous microvascular repair. This technique allows: tumour resection; flap harvesting; extra-short implant placements and reconstruction to be performed in one simultaneous procedure. The technique is presented with illustrations, VSP (presented on videos), radiographs, and surgical findings. We discovered that this refinement of the scapula tip surgery has enabled reconstructive procedures to be performed at the same time as implant placements, providing expedited functional and aesthetic outcomes in selected cases. Moreover, modification of the surgical technique could enhance the competence of the oropharyngeal edge. In conclusion, this new surgical protocol utilizing VSP, 3D models and simultaneous extra-short implant placement provides indispensable advantages for such a complicated surgical procedures, while significantly shortening the duration of surgery.

Failure Load and Fatigue Behavior of Monolithic and Bi-Layer Zirconia Fixed Dental Prostheses Bonded to One-Piece Zirconia Implants

No evidence-based prosthetic treatment concept for 3-unit fixed-dental-prostheses (FDPs) on ceramic implants is currently available. Therefore, the aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the failure load and fatigue behavior of monolithic and bi-layer zirconia FDPs supported by one-piece ceramic implants. Eighty 3-unit FDPs supported by 160 zirconia-implants (ceramic.implant; vitaclinical) were divided into 4 groups (n = 20 each): Group Z-HT: 3Y-TZP monolithic-zirconia (Vita-YZ-HT); Group Z-ST: 4Y-TZP monolithic-zirconia (Vita-YZ-ST); Group FL: 3Y-TZP zirconia (Vita-YZ-HT) with facial-veneer (Vita-VM9); Group RL (Rapid-layer): PICN “table-top” (Vita-Enamic), 3Y-TZP-framework (Vita-YZ-HT). Half of the test samples (n = 10/group) were fatigued in a mouth-motion chewing-simulator (F = 98 N, 1.2 million-cycles) with simultaneous thermocycling (5−55 °C). All specimens (fatigued and non-fatigued) were afterwards exposed to single-load-to-failure-testing (Z010, Zwick). Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA, Tukey’s post-hoc tests and two-sample t-tests (p < 0.05, Bonferroni-corrected where appropriate). All specimens withstood fatigue application. While the effect of fatigue was not significant in any group (p = 0.714), the choice of material had a significant effect (p < 0.001). Material FL recorded the highest failure loads, followed by Z-ST, Z-HT and RL, both with and without fatigue application. Taken together, all tested FDP material combinations survived chewing forces that exceeded physiological levels. Bi-Layer FL and monolithic Z-ST showed the highest resilience and might serve as reliable prosthetic reconstruction concepts for 3-unit FDPs on ceramic implants.

Static and Fatigue Loading of Veneered Implant-Supported Fixed Dental Prostheses

PURPOSE

This study aimed to compare the load to failure and the probability of survival of porcelain fused to zirconia (PFZ) three-unit, implant-supported, fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) to those of indirect composites veneered to either zirconia (CVZ) or milled fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) frameworks under static and fatigue loading.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One-hundred and twenty posterior three-unit FDP (second premolar pontic) frameworks were fabricated via milling from a single Standard Tessellation Language (STL) file. The FDPs were divided into three groups. Each group (n = 40) was subjected to static (n = 20) and fatigue (n = 20) loading tests, as follows: (1) PFZ: zirconia framework layered with porcelain veneer; (2) CVZ: zirconia framework veneered with indirect composite resin; and (3) FRC: FRC framework veneered with indirect composite resin. After porcelain veneering onto sintered zirconia frameworks, or resin composite veneering onto zirconia or FRC frameworks, FDPs were cemented on their abutments using self-adhesive resin cement. After thermal cycling, half of the FDPs were subjected to an accelerated fatigue test. The other half of the FDPs were subjected to single load-to-failure (SLF) testing at a crosshead speed (1 mm/min). Lifetime analysis was conducted to determine the probability of survival, and fractographic analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Significant differences were observed among the studied groups for SLF with the highest characteristic strength values observed for PFZ (2154 N), followed by 1905.47 N for CVZ and 1679.56 N for FRC. The probability of survival for 100,000 cycles at 500 N was the highest for FRC (98%) and CVZ (100%) and was significantly lower for PFZ (88%). Different fracture patterns were observed in the fractography.

CONCLUSIONS

In fatigue testing, which simulates masticatory function better than static tests, a higher probability of survival was observed for FRC and CVZ than for PFZ. Framework fractures were not observed only for the FRC group, indicating that chairside repair with the addition of indirect composite could be performed for continued function.

Reliability and failure modes of narrow implant systems

OBJECTIVES

Narrow implants are indicated in areas of limited bone width or when grafting is nonviable. However, the reduction of implant diameter may compromise their performance. This study evaluated the reliability of several narrow implant systems under fatigue, after restored with single-unit crowns.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Narrow implant systems were divided (n = 18 each), as follows: Astra (ASC); BioHorizons (BSC); Straumann Roxolid (SNC), Intra-Lock (IMC), and Intra-Lock one-piece abutment (ILO). Maxillary central incisor crowns were cemented and subjected to step-stress accelerated life testing in water. Use level probability Weibull curves and reliability for a mission of 100,000 cycles at 130- and 180-N loads (90 % two-sided confidence intervals) were calculated. Scanning electron microscopy was used for fractography.

RESULTS

Reliability for 100,000 cycles at 130 N was ∼99 % in group ASC, ∼99 % in BSC, ∼96 % in SNC, ∼99 % in IMC, and ∼100 % in ILO. At 180 N, reliability of ∼34 % resulted for the ASC group, ∼91 % for BSC, ∼53 % for SNC, ∼70 % for IMC, and ∼99 % for ILO. Abutment screw fracture was the main failure mode for all groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Reliability was not different between systems for 100,000 cycles at the 130-N load. A significant decrease was observed at the 180-N load for ASC, SNC, and IMC, whereas it was maintained for BSC and ILO.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The investigated narrow implants presented mechanical performance under fatigue that suggests their safe use as single crowns in the anterior region.

Failure Probability of Three Designs of Zirconia Crowns

This study used a two-parameter Weibull analysis for evaluation of the lifespan of fully or partially porcelain-/glaze-veneered zirconia crowns after fatigue test. A sample of 60 first molars were selected and prepared for full-coverage crowns with three different designs (n = 20): traditional (crowns with zirconia framework covered with feldspathic porcelain), modified (crowns partially covered with veneering porcelain), and monolithic (full-contour zirconia crowns). All specimens were treated with a glaze layer. Specimens were subjected to mechanical cycling (100 N, 3 Hz) with a piston with a hemispherical tip (Ø = 6 mm) until the specimens failed or up to 2 × 10⁶ cycles. Every 500,000 cycles, the fatigue tests were interrupted and stereomicroscopy (10×) was used to inspect the specimens for damage. The authors performed Weibull analysis of interval data to calculate the number of failures in each interval. The types and numbers of failures according to the groups were: cracking (13 traditional, 6 modified) and chipping (4 traditional) of the feldspathic porcelain, followed by delamination (1 traditional) at the veneer/core interface and debonding (2 monolithic) at the cementation interface. Weibull parameters (β, scale; η, shape), with a two-sided confidence interval of 95%, were: traditional-1.25 and 0.9 × 10⁶ cycles; modified-0.58 and 11.7 × 10⁶ cycles; and monolithic-1.05 and 16.5 × 10⁶ cycles. Traditional crowns showed greater susceptibility to fatigue, the modified group presented higher propensity to early failures, and the monolithic group showed no susceptibility to fatigue. The modified and monolithic groups presented the highest number of crowns with no failures after the fatigue test. The three crown designs presented significantly different behaviors under fatigue. The modified and monolithic groups presented less probability of failure after 2 × 10⁶ cycles.

Reliability evaluation of alumina-blasted/acid-etched versus laser-sintered dental implants

Step-stress accelerated life testing (SSALT) and fractographic analysis were performed to evaluate the reliability and failure modes of dental implant fabricated by machining (surface treated with alumina blasting/acid etching) or laser sintering for anterior single-unit replacements. Forty-two dental implants (3.75 × 10 mm) were divided in two groups (n=21 each): laser sintered (LS) and alumina blasting/acid etching (AB/AE). The abutments were screwed to the implants and standardized maxillary central incisor metallic crowns were cemented and subjected to SSALT in water. Use-level probability Weibull curves and reliability for a mission of 50,000 cycles at 200 N were calculated. Polarized light and scanning electron microscopes were used for failure analyses. The Beta (β) value derived from use-level probability Weibull calculation of 1.48 for group AB/AE indicated that damage accumulation likely was an accelerating factor, whereas the β of 0.78 for group LS indicated that load alone likely dictated the failure mechanism for this group, and that fatigue damage did not appear to accumulate. The reliability was not significantly different (p>0.9) between AB/AE (61 %) and LS (62 %). Fracture of the abutment and fixation screw was the chief failure mode. No implant fractures were observed. No differences in reliability and fracture mode were observed between LS and AB/AE implants used for anterior single-unit crowns.

Reliability and fatigue failure modes of implant-supported aluminum-oxide fixed dental prostheses

OBJECTIVES

To investigate failure modes and reliability of implant-supported aluminum-oxide three-unit fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) using two different veneering porcelains.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty-six aluminum-oxide FDP frameworks were computer-aided designed and computer-aided manufactured and either hand-veneered(n = 18) or over-pressed(n = 18). All FDPs were adhesively luted to custom-made zirconium-oxide-abutments attached to dental implant fixtures (regular platform 4 × 13 mm). Specimens were stored in water before mechanical testing. A step-stress accelerated life test (SSALT) with three load/cycles varying profiles was developed based on initial single-load-to-failure testing. Failure was defined by veneer chipping or chipping in combination with framework fracture. SSALT was performed on each FDP inclined 30° with respect to the applied load direction. For all specimens, failure modes were analyzed using polarized reflected light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Reliability was computed using Weibull analysis software (Reliasoft).

RESULTS

The dominant failure mode for the over-pressed FDPs was buccal chipping of the porcelain in the loading area of the pontic, while hand-veneered specimens failed mainly by combined failure modes in the veneering porcelain, framework, and abutments. Chipping of the porcelain occurred earlier in the over-pressed specimens (350 N/85 k, load/cycles) than in the hand-veneered ones (600 N/110 k) (profile I). Given a mission at 300 N load and 100 or 200 k cycles, the computed Weibull reliability (two-sided at 90% confidence bounds) was 0.99(1/0.98) and 0.99(1/0.98) for hand-veneered FDPs and 0.45(0.76/0.10) and 0.05(0.63/0) for over-pressed FDPs, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In the range of average clinical loads (300-700 N), hand-veneered aluminum-oxide FDPs showed significantly less failure by chipping of the veneer than the over-pressed. Hand-veneered FDPs under fatigue loading failed at loads ≥600 N.