Single-implant-supported zirconia fixed partial denture with a mesial cantilever extension: a case report

A 50-year-old man sought treatment for missing maxillary second premolar and first molar teeth. Treatment planning software demonstrated that the mesiodistal space of the edentulous ridge was insufficient to receive 2 implants. A screw-retained, single-implant-supported zirconia fixed partial denture with a mesial cantilever extension was used to replace the 2 missing posterior teeth. This prosthesis, produced with a computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing workflow and consisting of monolithic zirconia with a connector cross-sectional area of 16 mm², offered adequate resistance to chewing loads and still provided satisfactory esthetics at a 2-year follow-up examination.

Implant-supported zirconia fixed partial dentures cantilevered in the lateral-posterior area: A 4-year clinical results

Background

Implant-supported cantilever prostheses enable a more straightforward rehabilitation and may be a therapeutic option to reduce treatment morbidity, costs, and time. This study evaluated the clinical outcomes of fixed implant-supported partial dentures made of monolithic zirconia with a cantilever design to replace missing posterior teeth.

Methods

Fifteen partially edentulous patients received 34 implants and were provided with 16 zirconia fixed partial prostheses (FPPs) with one cantilever extension replacing mandibular or maxillary missing posterior and lateral teeth. Patients were re-examined for up to 4 years. Patient ages ranged from 41 to 65 years, with a mean age of 53±12 years; 47% were female, and 53% were male. The patients were observed for a mean period of 42±6 months with a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 4 years.

Results

Peri-implantitis was observed in two cases. No chipping or fracture of any FPP was detected. Loosening of the abutment screw was a technical complication in one case. The rehabilitation survival rate was 100%. Implant-supported zirconia FPP with one mesial cantilever extension provides an aesthetic, functional treatment alternative to replace missing molars, premolars, and canines. These excellent clinical outcomes occurred over a mean observation time of 42±6 months.

Conclusion

Using monolithic zirconia milled with CAD-CAM technology might be an alternative to the metal-ceramic restoration in implant-supported FPP with one cantilever.

Use of hyaluronic acid for regeneration of maxillofacial bones

Hyaluronic acid (HA) has been widely used in medicine and is currently of particular interest to maxillofacial surgeons. Several applications have been introduced, including those in which HA is used as a scaffold for bone regeneration, either alone or in combination with other grafting materials, to enhance bone growth. This review aims to analyze the available literature on the use of HA for maxillofacial bone regenerative procedures including socket preservation, sinus augmentation, and ridge augmentation. Medline and PubMed databases were searched for relevant reports published between January 2000 and April 2021. Nine publications describing the use of HA to augment bone volume were identified. Although further studies are needed, these findings are encouraging as they suggest that HA could be used effectively used, in combination with graft materials, in maxillofacial bone regenerative procedures. HA facilitates manipulation of bone grafts, improves handling characteristics and promotes osteoblast activity that stimulates bone regeneration and repair.