In vitro comparison of fracture load of implant-supported, zirconia-based, porcelain- and composite-layered restorations after artificial aging

Fracture strength of implant-supported hybrid abutment crowns in premolar region fabricated using different restorative CAD/CAM materials

The present study investigated the fracture strength of hybrid abutment crowns (HACs) in the premolar region that were fabricated with different restorative computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) materials. The abutment-implant structures were randomly assigned into four groups (n=11 per group): bi-layered zirconia restorations (BL), translucent zirconia (4Y-PSZ) restorations (TZ), lithium disilicate ceramic restorations (LD), and dispersed nanoparticle-filled composite resin restorations (CM). All restorations were adhesively bonded to the titanium abutments. After the restoration-abutment complex was tightened onto the implant, the fracture strength was measured. The TZ (2.06 kN) and LD (1.87 kN) groups had significantly higher median fracture strengths than the BL (1.12 kN) and CM (1.10 kN) groups. In terms of fracture resistance, the 4Y-PSZ and lithium disilicate ceramic monolithic restorations would be superior to bi-layered 3Y-TZP and composite resin monolithic restorations for HACs in the premolar region.

The effect of aging on the fracture resistance of different types of screw-cement-retained implant-supported zirconia-based restorations

Structural durability of screw-cement-retained implant-supported zirconia-based restorations is an important factor in choosing the best type of restoration for clinical use. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of thermocycling on the fracture resistance of different types of screw-cement-retained implant-supported zirconia-based restoration. Two experimental groups (monolithic zirconia and porcelain-veneered zirconia) and a control group of porcelain-fused-to-metal restorations were fabricated via CAD-CAM (n = 14 per group). Half of the specimens of each group (n = 7) were subjected to 10000 thermal cycles. The compressive force was applied and the force leading to fracture was measured by using a Universal Testing Machine. The fractured modes were classified under a scanning electron microscope. The data were analyzed through two-way ANOVA, one-way ANOVA, and independent samples t-test (α = 0.05). Among the non-thermocycled subgroups, the monolithic zirconia specimens were significantly more fracture-resistant than the porcelain-veneered zirconia and porcelain-fused-to-metal groups (P<0.05); but it was not the same with aging (P>0.05). Thermocycling decreased the fracture resistance of all groups; however, the difference was not statistically significant (P<0.05). The monolithic zirconia presented higher fracture resistance than the bilayered restorations for screw-cement retained implant-supported restorations. Thermocycling decreased the fracture resistance of all types of restorations insignificantly which can be clinically important.

Bond strength between a veneering composite resin and zirconia frameworks with attached mechanical retentive devices

The effects of mechanical retentive devices and various surface treatments on the shear bond strength between a veneering composite resin and zirconia was investigated. Zirconia disks were classified into three surface-treatment groups: airborne-particle abrasion, overglazing, and overglazing with white alumina particles of three different grain sizes (50, 70, and 105 μm) attached onto zirconia disks (ZR-50, ZR-70, and ZR-105, respectively). They were further divided into four groups (n=44): unprimed, Clearfil Porcelain Bond Activator (CA), Clearfil Photo Bond (CB), and CA+CB. An indirect composite resin was bonded to zirconia specimens. Shear bond strengths were measured. For the ZR-70 and ZR-105 groups, the CB and CA+CB specimens exhibited higher bond strengths than the other two specimens after thermocycling. The ZR-70 and ZR-105 groups achieved micromechanical interlocking, and priming with a phosphate monomer (MDP) yielded stable bond strengths between the composite resin and zirconia with alumina particles attached as retentive devices.

In vitro evaluation of material dependent force damping behavior of implant-supported restorations using different CAD-CAM materials and luting conditions

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Although force-damping behavior that matches natural teeth may be unobtainable, an optimal combination of crown material and luting agent might have a beneficial effect on the force absorption capacity of implant-supported restorations. However, the force-absorbing behavior of various restorative materials has not yet been satisfactorily investigated.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the material dependent force-damping behavior of implant-supported crowns fabricated from different computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) materials luted to implant abutments under different conditions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Titanium inserts (N=84) were screwed to implant analogs, scanned to design zirconia abutments, and divided into 4 groups to receive CAD-CAM fabricated crowns in 4 materials: zirconia, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polymer-infiltrated ceramics (VITA ENAMIC), and lithium disilicate (e.max). The crowns were subdivided as per the luting agent: none, interim cement, and adhesive resin cement. Measurements were performed by loading specimens in a universal testing machine with an increasing force and measuring the resulting force with a digital forcemeter, followed by image processing and data acquisition. Two-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to assess all interactions with multiple pairwise comparisons (α=.05).

RESULTS

The curve progression of the applied and resulting forces varied significantly among the investigated materials, resulting in differently inclined slopes for each material (P<.001). With no cementation, the mean slope values of the resulting force curves ranged from 77.5 ±0.03 degrees for zirconia, followed by 71.8 ±0.03 degrees for lithium disilicate, 56.2 ±0.1 degrees for polymer-infiltrated ceramics, and 51.1 ±0.01 degrees for polyetheretherketone. With interim cementation, the mean slope values ranged from 75.4 ±0.01 degrees for zirconia, followed by 70.05 ±0.02 degrees for lithium disilicate, 56.1 ±0.02 degrees for polymer-infiltrated ceramics, and 52.2 ±0.1 degrees for polyetheretherketone. As with adhesive cementation, curve slopes ranged from 73.2 ±0.02 degrees for zirconia, followed by 70.5 ±0.2 degrees for lithium disilicate, 55.9 ±0.04 degrees for polymer-infiltrated ceramics, and 52.3 ±0.1 degrees for polyetheretherketone. Slope loss was significant after the cementation of zirconia and lithium disilicate crowns but less significant for polymer-infiltrated ceramics and polyetheretherketone.

CONCLUSIONS

Force damping is generally material dependent, yet implant-supported crowns fabricated from resilient materials such as polymer-infiltrated ceramics and PEEK show better force absorption than rigid materials such as zirconia and lithium disilicate ceramics. Furthermore, cementation of rigid materials significantly increased slope loss, indicating enhancement in their force-damping behavior, whereas less-rigid materials benefit less from cementation. Further studies are essential to investigate the effect of prosthetic materials on the stress distribution to the peri-implant bone in the crown-abutment-implant complex.

Fatigue behaviour of dental crowns made from a novel high-performance polymer PEKK

Objectives

The aim of this study was, firstly, to analyse the long-time fatigue behaviour of crowns constructed from a novel polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) polymer, using artificial prepared teeth. Secondly, to determine the effect of the material’s stiffness that used as an artificial prepared tooth on the fatigue life of the PEKK crowns in comparison to human prepared teeth.

Methods

Veneered crowns with a PEKK framework were constructed on three different prepared teeth: artificial polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) teeth, artificial CoCr teeth and extracted human teeth. As far as applicable, the loading protocol was based on EN ISO 14801:2007 for fatigue testing of dental implants. After initial static fracture tests on three specimens from each group, the remaining crowns were loaded with different force levels until fracture or until 2 × 10⁶ loading cycles were reached. The number of loading cycles until failure was recorded. Wöhler curves were created to display the fatigue limits.

Results

Static fracture limits as well as fatigue limits differed for all three core materials. The static fracture tests resulted in fracture limits of 1200 (± 293) N for the PMMA group, 1330 (± 219) N for the CoCr group and 899 (± 96) N for the human tooth group. Fatigue limits of 770 N, 840 N and 720 N were determined for the PMMA group, CoCr group and human tooth group, respectively.

Conclusions

The determined fatigue limit of above 720 N (depending on the core material) is sufficiently high and a good performance of this crown material is expected in the clinical loading life. The results showed that using artificial teeth instead of natural teeth for fatigue testing of crowns might result in an overestimation of the fatigue limits of the crown material.

Clinical relevance

PEKK-made crowns offer a stable and priceworthy treatment for patients, in particular those that suffer from metal allergy.

Evaluation of Fracture Resistance and Color Stability of Crowns Obtained by Layering Composite Over Zirconia and Polyetheretherketone Copings Before and After Thermocycling to Simulate Oral Environment: An In Vitro Study

Background:

Most common material used for the fabrication of an implant restoration is full-ceramic crown or an all-ceramic crown. Frequent chipping of the ceramic under occlusal load has posed a great problem to the clinician and the patient. Composites have been layered over zirconia successfully in the recent past to overcome this problem. This study, thus, aimed to evaluate and compare the fracture resistance and color stability of crowns obtained by layering composite over zirconia and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) copings before and after thermocycling to simulate oral environment.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 40 crowns (20 per group) were obtained by layering composite of A3 shade over computer-aided design/computer-aided milling milled zirconia and PEEK copings. Thermocycling of the 10 out of the 20 crowns was performed in a thermocycler (5000 cycles, in water temperature of 5°C and 55°C with dwell time of 30s), and then they were kept in hot and cold beverages for 24h each, to simulate oral environmental conditions. After thermocycling, the crowns were divided into four groups of 10 samples each: Group Z, ZT, P, and PT. Shade evaluation of all the crowns was performed using digital shade guide (VITA Easyshade^® Advance; VITA Zahnfabrik, Bad Säckingen, Germany) and VITAPAN classical (VITA Zahnfabrik). Fracture strength was tested for all the crowns in a universal testing machine. Fracture strength in megapascal and the applied occlusal load in kilograms were recorded. Data obtained were statistically evaluated by one-way analysis of variance and post hoc test.

Results:

The final shade of the crowns obtained by layering A3 shade composite in the groups Z was A3, ZT was B3, P was C3, and PT was D2. The value of mean fracture strength of crowns of groups Z was 1142.3MPa, ZT was 1034.57MPa, P was 2134.64MPa, and PT was 1765.01MPa.

Conclusion:

Thermocycling affected the shade of all the crowns. The mean fracture strength of the crowns having PEEK copings was significantly higher than that of zirconia copings. Thermocycling did not have a significant effect on the mean fracture strength.

Fatigue behavior and damage modes of high performance poly-ether-ketone-ketone PEKK bilayered crowns

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate and compare the fatigue behavior (fatigue limit and fatigue life) and damage modes of high-performance poly-ether-ketone-ketone (PEKK), zirconia and alloy bilayered crowns.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 110 crowns (n = 50 for fatigue limit and n = 60 for fatigue life) were fabricated and used in this study. Pekkton® ivory discs, yttrium stabilized zirconia blanks and NiCr casting alloy were used to produce the respective PEKK, zirconia and alloy copings for crown fabrication. The prepared crowns were veneered with composite resin and subjected to fatigue tests. The fatigue limit was evaluated using the staircase method and the fatigue life of the samples was evaluated by subjecting the crowns to a load lower than the fatigue limit of that particular group, and also with an intermediate load of 522 N. A graphical plot was generated from the shape parameter (β) and life parameter (α) values obtained through the Weibull analysis method. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were applied to determine the significance differences in the recorded fracture mode between the study groups. The damage modes of the samples were assessed using Burke's classification.

RESULTS

The recorded fatigue limits of the groups were 442.8 ± 42.1 N, 608.7 ± 7.6 N, and 790.4 ± 29.2 N for zirconia, NiCr and PEKK, respectively. A significant difference in the fatigue limit of the groups was observed (p < 0.05). PEKK samples demonstrated the highest survival cycles of 1,170,000 and the lowest survival cycles was observed with zirconia samples at 100,000 under 522 N loading. The fracture modes in PEKK samples were largely distributed between code 1 and 2 whereas the fracture modes in NiCr group was distributed between code 1 and 4 and YZ crowns exhibited more of code 5 fractures. The difference in fracture modes among the groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The PEKK group demonstrated better results compared to zirconia and NiCr based crowns. The PEKK group demonstrated high fatigue limit and survived the highest fatigue life cycles among the tested groups.

Fracture loads of screw-retained implant-supported zirconia prostheses after thermal and mechanical stress

PURPOSE

The objective of the present study was to evaluate fracture loads of screw-retained implant-supported zirconia prostheses after artificial aging.

METHODS

Four types of screw-retained implant-supported prostheses were fabricated (n=11 each); porcelain-veneered zirconia prosthesis (PVZ), indirect composite-veneered zirconia prosthesis (IVZ), porcelain-fused-to-metal prosthesis (PFM), and monolithic zirconia prosthesis (ML). The specimens were subjected to 10,000 thermocycles and cyclic loading for 1.2 million cycles. Fracture loads were measured, and the data were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis and Steel-Dwass tests (α=0.05).

RESULTS

All specimens survived the artificial aging procedures. The fracture loads for the PVZ (1.52kN), IVZ (1.62kN), and PFM groups (1.53kN) did not significantly differ; however, the fracture load for the ML group (6.61kN) was significantly higher than those for the other groups. The fracture load for the IVZ group was comparable to those for the PVZ and PFM groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The monolithic zirconia prostheses exhibited significantly higher fracture loads than the bilayered prostheses. All the investigated types of screw-retained implant-supported zirconia prostheses appear sufficient to resist posterior masticatory forces during long-term clinical use.

Effect of framework design on fracture load after thermal cycling and mechanical loading of implant-supported zirconia-based prostheses

This study evaluated the effect of zirconia framework design on fracture load of implant-supported zirconia-based prostheses after thermal cycling and mechanical loading. Three different zirconia framework designs were investigated: uniform-thickness (UNI), anatomic (ANA), and supported anatomic (SUP) designs. Each framework was layered with feldspathic porcelain (ZAC group) or indirect composite material (ZIC group). The specimens then underwent fracture load testing after thermal cycling and cyclic loading. In the ZAC group, mean fracture load was significantly lower for UNI design specimens than for the other framework designs. In the ZIC group, there was no significant difference in mean fracture load between ANA design specimens and either UNI or SUP design specimens. To improve fracture resistance of implant-supported zirconia-based prostheses after artificial aging, uniformly thick layering material and appropriate lingual support with zirconia frameworks should be provided.

Shear bond strength of indirect composite material to monolithic zirconia

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of surface treatments on bond strength of indirect composite material (Tescera Indirect Composite System) to monolithic zirconia (inCoris TZI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Partially stabilized monolithic zirconia blocks were cut into with 2.0 mm thickness. Sintered zirconia specimens were divided into different surface treatment groups: no treatment (control), sandblasting, glaze layer & hydrofluoric acid application, and sandblasting + glaze layer & hydrofluoric acid application. The indirect composite material was applied to the surface of the monolithic zirconia specimens. Shear bond strength value of each specimen was evaluated after thermocycling. The fractured surface of each specimen was examined with a stereomicroscope and a scanning electron microscope to assess the failure types. The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey LSD tests (α=.05).

RESULTS

Bond strength was significantly lower in untreated specimens than in sandblasted specimens (P<.05). No difference between the glaze layer and hydrofluoric acid application treated groups were observed. However, bond strength for these groups were significantly higher as compared with the other two groups (P<.05).

CONCLUSION

Combined use of glaze layer & hydrofluoric acid application and silanization are reliable for strong and durable bonding between indirect composite material and monolithic zirconia.