Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight patients (18 males and 10 females) with at least one fully edentulous arch were restored with fixed Y-TZP implant-supported FDPs. Four patients received 2 FDPs, 20 patients received one FDP (34 FDPs). The FDPs were fabricated with Y-TZP ceramic with Zirkonzahn (CAD-CAM). Only the labial wall of the anterior teeth and the anatomical gingival surfaces were layered with porcelain. The remaining part of the FDP was manufactured from a monolithic block of Y-TZP including the occlusal surfaces. The veneering porcelain was fired with a slow cooling cycle. The FDPs were screw-retained on multi-unit abutments and evaluated at baseline and every 12 months. The follow up ranged from 7 to a minimal of 2 years.
Results: At the last review all FDPs were in use and all patients were satisfied with outcomes. No mechanical (frame fracture, porcelain chipping, screw loosening, wear of the opposing dentition), or biological (implant loss, mucositis, peri-implantitis, excessive marginal bone loss) complications were recorded. Four implants in 4 patients recorded marginal bone loss greater than expected. However this bone loss was noted prior to issuing definitive Y-TZP FDPs.
Conclusion: The lack of complications and repairs indicate that the use of a single block implant-supported semi-monolithic Y-TZP with minimal porcelain layering of the aesthetic zone may be an ideal solution for patients with one or more fully edentulous arches. More studies with larger sample size and longer follow-ups are required.