Influence of zirconia and lithium disilicate tooth- or implant-supported crowns on wear of antagonistic and adjacent teeth

Monolithic Hybrid Abutment Crowns (Screw-Retained) Versus Monolithic Hybrid Abutments With Monolithic Crowns (Adhesively Cemented): Three-Year Data of a Prospective Clinical Split-Mouth Study

OBJECTIVES

This study compares the restoration of single-tooth implants with screw-retained lithium-disilicate hybrid-abutment crowns and single-tooth lithium-disilicate crowns adhesively bonded to hybrid abutments with regard to objective clinical and subjective patient-specific evaluation criteria over a time of observation of 3 years.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two bone-level implants were placed in contralateral sides of the same jaw in 10 patients, each with two single-tooth gaps. After osseointegration, implants were uncovered and an impression was taken. In accordance with the split-mouth design, one implant in each patient was restored with a screw-retained hybrid abutment crown and the other implant with a hybrid abutment and an adhesively bonded single-tooth crown. The restorations were randomly allocated to the implants. Prefabricated titanium bases were used. The ceramic abutments and restorations were fabricated monolithically with pressed lithium-disilicate ceramic. An objective evaluation (survival, technical, or biological complications, FIPS) by the practitioner and a subjective evaluation (satisfaction, OHIP) by the patient were carried out after 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after restoration placement.

RESULTS

Both restoration types showed a survival rate of 100% after 3 years of observation. No technical or biological complications occurred. No significant difference was observed between the two types of restoration neither for objective (survival, technical or biological complications, FIPS) nor subjective (satisfaction, OHIP) evaluation criteria (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

No statistically significant differences were observed between screw-retained and cemented pressed lithium-disilicate restorations on bone-level implants for both objective and subjective evaluation criteria, respectively.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Monolithic hybrid-abutment crowns (screw-retained) and monolithic hybrid abutments with single-tooth crowns (cemented) made of pressed lithium disilicate can be used to successfully restore single implants.

Masticatory simulators based on oral physiology in food research: A systematic review

A masticatory simulator is a mechanical device that mimics the physiological structures of the human oral cavity, chewing movement system, and functions. The advantage of this device lies in real-time tracking and analysis of food boluses within a sealed oral space, offering a direct validation platform for food experiments without constraints related to time, space, and individual variations. The degree to which the masticatory simulator simulates physiological structures reflects its efficacy in replicating oral physiological processes. This review mainly discusses the physiological structures of the oral cavity, the simulation of biomimetic components, and the development, feasibility assessment, applications, and prospects of masticatory simulators in food. The highlight of this review is the analogy of biomimetic component designs in masticatory simulators over the past 15 years. It summarizes the limitations of masticatory simulators and their biomimetic components, proposing potential directions for future development. The purpose of this review is to assist readers in understanding the research progress and latest literature findings on masticatory simulators while also offering insights into the design and innovation of masticatory simulators.

CAD/CAM full-mouth rehabilitation of an elderly patient: One-piece digital complete denture meets multilayered zirconia with gradient technology

OBJECTIVE

This article highlights a CAD/CAM complete-mouth rehabilitation in an 82-year-old patient by means of a complete maxillary prosthesis and mandibular implant- and tooth-supported fixed restorations made from multilayered zirconia.

CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Comprehensive complete-mouth rehabilitations in elderly patients with adaptation of the occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) often present particular challenges. This applies especially when exacting functional and esthetic requirements are to be met and the treatment should not cause the patient too much effort, still ensuring the highest level of quality and efficiency and a low intervention rate.

CONCLUSION

The digital approach used for the present patient allowed for an efficient treatment procedure, facilitated virtual evaluations using a face-scan, and enhanced the predictability of the prosthodontic outcome. The approach enabled some steps required in the conventional protocol to be omitted, resulting in a straightforward clinical treatment with minimal strain on the patient.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Because of the comprehensive recording of extraoral and intraoral data, for example with a facial scanner, it was possible to transfer a digital replica of the patient to the dental laboratory technician. With this protocol, many steps can be performed in the absence of the real patient.

Effect of the Abutment Rigidity on the Wear Resistance of a Lithium Disilicate Glass Ceramic: An In Vitro Study

Lithium disilicate (LDS) glass ceramics are among the most common biomaterials in conservative dentistry and prosthodontics, and their wear behavior is of paramount clinical interest. An innovative in vitro model is presented, which employs CAD/CAM technology to simulate the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. The model aims to evaluate the effect of the abutment rigidity on the wear resistance of the LDS glass ceramic. Two experimental groups (LDS restorations supported by dental implants, named LDS-on-Implant, or by hybrid ceramic tooth replicas with artificial periodontal ligament, named LDS-on-Tooth-Replica) and a control group (LDS-Cylinders) were compared. Fifteen samples (n = 15) were fabricated for each group and subjected to testing, with LDS antagonistic cusps opposing them over 120,000 cycles using a dual axis chewing simulator. Wear resistance was analyzed by measuring the vertical wear depth (mm) and the volume loss (mm3) on each LDS sample, as well as the linear antagonist wear (mm) on LDS cusps. Mean values were calculated for LDS-Cylinders (0.186 mm, 0.322 mm3, 0.220 mm, respectively), LDS-on-Implant (0.128 mm, 0.166 mm3, 0.199 mm, respectively), and LDS-on-Tooth-Replica (0.098 mm, 0.107 mm3, 0.172 mm, respectively) and compared using one-way-ANOVA and Tukey's tests. The level of significance was set at 0.05 in all tests. Wear facets were inspected under a scanning electron microscope. Data analysis revealed that abutment rigidity was able to significantly affect the wear pattern of LDS, which seems to be more intense on rigid implant-abutment supports compared to resilient teeth replicas with artificial periodontal ligament.

The Correlation of Surface Roughness Parameters of Zirconia and Lithium Disilicate with Steatite Wear

PURPOSE

Various surface roughness parameters are utilized to describe the surface in the tooth to ceramics abrasion and to assess the resulting wear. The use of three-dimensional parameters may offer a better estimation for wear and an improved deduced clinical surface treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of various surface roughness parameters of zirconia and lithium disilicate ceramics on the wear of steatite antagonists.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty zirconia specimens with a diameter of 7 mm and a thickness of 3 mm and 40 lithium disilicate specimens with the dimensions 10×10×4 mm were each divided into five subgroups. Two subgroups were treated with different clinically established diamond burs; a third subgroup was treated with a silicone polishing set. Two additional subgroups were produced by glazing the surfaces after treatment. Surface roughness parameters were determined by laser scanning microscopy. All specimens underwent 1.2 million loading cycles using steatite antagonists. After regular intervals of cycles, precision impressions were made to assess the wear. The correlation between wear and different roughness parameters was evaluated using the Spearman correlation test.

RESULTS

For the glazed zirconia, unglazed zirconia, and glazed lithium disilicate specimens no significant correlations (p > 0.05) between the investigated roughness parameters and antagonist wear could be found. In the unglazed lithium disilicate groups, significant (p ≤ 0.05) correlations with steatite substance loss could be found for several roughness parameters after 1.2 million cycles.

CONCLUSIONS

For lithium disilicate, it seems not sufficient to use only one roughness parameter to indicate the wear behavior of the surface. There was no correlation between wear and the tested roughness parameters of zirconia surfaces.

Impact of the occlusal contact pattern and occlusal adjustment on the wear and stability of crowns

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the impact of the occlusal contact situation and occlusal adjustment on wear, roughness, and fracture force of molar crowns.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CAD/CAM crowns (lower right first molar, n = 64; 4 groups à 8, 3Y-TZP zirconia and resin composite) and corresponding antagonists (upper right first molar; 3Y-TZP zirconia) were manufactured. Crowns were constructed according to two principles of occlusion (group "T": Peter K. Thomas' "point-centric" cusp-to-fossa tripodization concept, with 15 contact points; group "RA" Sigurd P. Ramfjord and Major M. Ash, "freedom in centric" concept with four contacts). On one half of the crowns, occlusal adjustment was performed (groups "T adjusted" and "RA adjusted"). All crowns underwent combined thermal cycling (TC) and mechanical loading (ML) (ML: 1.2 × 10⁶ cycles, 50 N, 2 Hz, mouth opening 1 mm; TC: 2 × 3000 cycles, 5/55°C). Wear area and depth of each contact point on the occlusal surfaces of crowns and antagonists were determined using a digital microscope. Surface roughness (R_a, R_z) was measured in and besides (reference) the worn area (3D laser-scanning microscope). Fracture force of the crowns was determined (statistics: Levene-test, one-way-ANOVA; Bonferroni-post-hoc-test; between-subjects effects, Pearson correlation, α=0.05).

RESULTS

The resin composite crowns yielded significantly higher mean values for wear area and depth (p < 0.001) and lower fracture forces (p < 0.001). Resin composite surfaces showed increased roughness after TCML while zirconia exhibited smoothened surfaces. The occlusal design significantly impacted wear depth (p = 0.012) and fracture force (p < 0.001). Resin composite crowns with fewer contact points (group RA) showed more wear and lower fracture force. Adjusted resin composite crowns showed increased wear areas and depths (p = 0.009-0.013). For zirconia crowns, the adjustment impacted wear area (p = 0.013), wear depth (p = 0.008), and fracture force (p = 0.006), with adjusted zirconia crowns exhibiting more wear and lower maximum forces until fracture. Zirconia wear depth was also impacted by the occlusal design (p = 0.012). Antagonistic wear was influenced by the restorative material, the occlusal contact pattern, and the adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS

The investigated materials show strongly varying performances with zirconia being significantly influenced by the adjustment, while for resin composites, contact design and adjustment had a major impact.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The results show the necessity of adapting occlusal design and adjustment in order to improve roughness, wear, and stability of zirconia and resin composite crowns.

The One-Year In Vivo Comparison of Lithium Disilicate and Zirconium Dioxide Inlays

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the one-year clinical performance of lithium disilicate (LD) and zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂) class II inlay restorations. Thirty healthy individuals who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled for the study. The patients were randomly divided into two study groups (n = 15): LD (IPS e.max press) and ZrO₂ (Dentcare Zirconia). In the ZrO₂ group, the internal surfaces of the inlays were sandblasted and silanized with Monobond N (Ivoclar, Leichsteistein, Germany). In the LD group, the internal surfaces of the inlays were etched with 5% hydrofluoric acid. The ceramic inlays were cemented with self-cure resin cement (Multilink N). Clinical examinations were performed using modified United State Public Health Codes and Criteria (USPHS) after 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 months and 1 year. The one-year survival rate was evaluated. In total, one failure was observed in the ZrO₂ group. The survival probability after 1 year for the ZrO₂ inlays was 93%, and for the LD inlays was 100%, which was statistically insignificant. The differences between both groups for most USPHS criteria (except for colour match) were statistically insignificant. Within the imitations of the present study, the lithium disilicate- and zirconia dioxide-based inlays exhibited comparable clinical performances. However, the colour and translucency match was superior for the lithium disilicate restorations.

Systematic review of chewing simulators: Reality and reproducibility of in vitro studies

BACKGROUND

The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the types of human chewing simulator described in scientific literature.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An electronic search was conducted in the databases PubMed, Embase and Scopus. The search strategy included 10 search terms: "in vitro"; "dental materials"; "shear strength"; "fatigue fracture"; "bite force"; "prosthetic materials"; "chewing simulator"; "chewing machine"; "simulated mastication"; and "dental wear simulator." Two researchers worked independently to assess the titles and abstracts of the articles. The quality of the in vitro trials selected was evaluated by means of the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials scale.

RESULTS

The electronic search identified 80 articles related to the topic of interest. After reading the full texts, ten works were selected. The articles focused mainly on the design of chewing simulators. Most of them were considered of moderate quality. Regarding the characteristics that an ideal chewing simulator should encompass, the devices described in articles varied greatly in terms of movement, periodontal ligament simulation, force sensors, and the materials tested.

CONCLUSIONS

No chewing simulator offers all the characteristics necessary to reproduce human masticatory movements and forces under the humidity and pH conditions of the oral cavity. A simulator that encompasses all these characteristics would make it possible to standardize trials involving simulated mastication. Key words:In vitro, dental materials, dental wear simulator.

Hybrid-abutment-restoration: effect of material type on torque maintenance and fracture resistance after thermal aging

Purpose

To evaluate the tightening torque maintenance with zirconia, lithium disilicate, and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) hybrid-abutment-crowns after thermal aging, in addition to assess the fracture resistance of hybrid-abutment-crowns fabricated with different materials.

Materials and methods

Thirty implants were restored with identical hybrid-abutment-crowns, resembling the maxillary first premolar, fabricated from zirconia (Zr), lithium disilicate (L2), or ceramic-reinforced PEEK (PE). The three groups (n = 10) were constructed utilizing a Ti-base. After bonding, each restoration was secured in its respective implant with a torque of 25 Ncm. All restorations were subjected to thermal aging for 7000 cycles. The loosening torque was assessed utilizing the digital torque meter. Each restoration was subjected to fracture testing and the mode of failure was determined.

Results

Zr group displayed the highest mean torque loss value (2.70 ± 0.59 Ncm) with the mean loosening torque value of 22.38 ± 0.68 Ncm. PE group displayed the lowest mean torque loss (2.55 ± 0.50 Ncm) with mean loosening torque value of 22.61 ± 0.59 Ncm. There was no significant difference between study groups regarding loosening torque (p = 0.68), torque loss (p = 0.80), and percentage of torque loss (p = 0.79). There was significant difference regarding the mean fracture load value between Zr and PE groups. However, there was no significant difference (p = 0.05) regarding mean fracture load value between L2 and PE groups.

Conclusion

The hybrid-abutment-crown material does not affect the torque maintenance after thermal aging. Based on fracture load, zirconia hybrid-abutment-crown can be used, while lithium disilicate and PEEK hybrid-abutment-crowns may cautiously serve in premolar region.