Clinical evaluation of zirconia cantilevered single-retainer resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses replacing missing canines and posterior teeth.

OBJECTIVES

This clinical study evaluated the outcome and survival rate of resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses (RBFDPs) made of 3Y-TZP zirconia ceramic with a single-retainer design in the replacement of missing canines, premolars and molars.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients that were provided with twenty-seven cantilevered zirconia ceramic RBFDPs replacing maxillary or mandibular missing canines or posterior teeth were recruited from the patients' database at the University of Kiel, Germany. The preparation of the abutment teeth was minimal and limited to the enamel and consisted of a retainer wing and an occlusal rest on the abutment tooth. The restorations were observed over up to 12 years.

RESULTS

The patient age ranged from 16 to 72 years old with a mean age of 34 ± 21 years and 57% were females and 43% were males. The restorations were observed for a mean period of 53 ± 39 months with a minimum of 13 months and a maximum of 151 months of observation. No debonding for any of the restorations was detected, which amounts up to a survival rate of 100%. The development of treatable cervical caries on one abutment tooth of an elderly patient without extending to the retainer wing was the only recorded complication.

CONCLUSIONS

Zirconia ceramic single-retainer RBFDPs provide an esthetic, functional and minimally invasive treatment alternative to replace missing canines, premolar and molars with promising results due to excellent clinical outcome resulting from a survival rate of 100% and a success rate of 96.3% over a mean observation time of 53 ± 39 months.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Zirconia ceramic single-retainer RBFDPs might be a valid minimally-invasive option for replacing missing canines and missing teeth in the posterior area especially for young patients, in whom implants are contraindicated and conventional fixed dental prostheses are too invasive.