Clinical Performance of Veneered CAD/CAM-fabricated Zirconia Substructures

Methods: Thirty-eight patients received 18 FDP and 50 SC. Zirconia substructures were fabricated by a CAD/CAM system (InLab, Sirona) and veneered in powder build-up technique (IPS e.max Ceram, IvoclarVivadent). All restorations were cemented with glass ionomer. Baseline evaluation was performed 2 weeks after cementation with recall examinations performed at 12, 24 and 36 months by calibrated investigators. Scanning electron microscopy was carried out on replicas of all restorations. Survival probabilities according to Kaplan-Meier were calculated.

Results: The mean service time of the FDP was 35 („b 14) months. After three years of clinical service eight failures were observed. Three biological complications and five technical complications were recorded. All failures occurred in the FDP group. One FDP was removed after biological failure of one abutment tooth. The Kaplan-Meier survival probability was 88.2 % after 36 months for all types of failures and 98.5 % concerning restorations in service. The type of restoration showed significant influence on the survival probability (p < 0.001, Log-Rank-Test). No influence on gingival parameters from the restorations was observed compared to control teeth.

Conclusions: Zirconia substructures veneered with flour apatite veneering porcelain seems to be a reliable treatment option. More research has to be carried out to investigate the difference between SC and FDP.

This study was supported by IvoclarVivadent. The ethical committee declared permission and patients gave written consent.