Bone level changes at implants supporting crowns or fixed partial dentures with or without cantilevers

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze whether or not a cantilever extension on a fixed dental prosthesis (FDP) supported by implants increased the amount of peri‐implant bone loss or technical complications compared with reconstructions without cantilevers. Materials and Methods: Fifty‐four partially dentate patients with a total of 54 FDPs supported by 78 implants were enrolled in the study. Twenty‐seven FDPs were with cantilever and 27 FDPs were without cantilever (control group). All FDPs were supported by one or two implants and were located in the posterior maxilla or mandible. The primary outcome variable was change in peri‐implant marginal bone level from the time of FDP placement to the last follow‐up visit. FDPs were under functional loading for a period of 3 up to 12.7 years. Statistical analysis was carried out with Student's t‐test. Regression analyses were carried out to evaluate the influence of confounding factors on the peri‐implant bone level change. In addition, implant survival rates were calculated and technical complications assessed. Results: After a mean observation period of 5.3 years, the mean peri‐implant bone loss for the FDPs with cantilevers was 0.23 mm (SD±0.63 mm) and 0.09 mm (SD±0.43 mm) for FDPs without cantilever. Concerning the bone level change at implants supporting FDPs with or without cantilevers no statistically significant differences were found. The regression analysis revealed that jaw of implant placement had a statistically significant influence on peri‐implant bone loss. When the bone loss in the cantilever group and the control group were compared within the maxilla or mandible separately, no statistically significant difference was found. Implant survival rates reached 95.7% for implants supporting cantilever prostheses and 96.9% for implants of the control group. Five FDPs in the cantilever group showed minor technical complications, none were observed in the control group. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study it was concluded that cantilever on FDPs did not lead to a higher implant failure rate and did not lead to more bone loss around supporting implants compared with implants supporting conventional FDPs. In contrast to these results more technical complications were observed in the group reconstructed with cantilever.     

Masticatory and nutritional aspects on fixed and removable partial dentures

The aim of the present study was to evaluate mastication, food selection and nutritional aspects in two groups of persons restored with fixed (FPD, N=44) and removable (RPD, N=40) partial dentures respectively. The subjects were part of a cohort study of 67–68-year-old men living in Malmö, Sweden. The two groups were very similar regarding social factors and the inclusion criteria were chosen so that the groups were very equal regarding oral factors, apart from the difference in fixed and removable partial dentures. The number of natural teeth, number of replaced teeth and occlusal contacts did not differ significantly between the two groups, nor did the distribution of maxillary and mandibular dentures. A comprehensive examination of several general health factors included a home interview of dietary habits. A clinical examination included a 20-minute oral examination with registration of number of teeth, FPDs, RPDs, and occlusal contacts. It also included masticatory tests: chewing gum colour mixing, chewing gum bolus shaping, and swallowing threshold (number of strokes to the first swallow of an almond). The consumption of hard and soft foods was revealed by the dietary interview as well as the intake of energy and some nutrients. There was a significant difference between the groups regarding the capacity to mix the two-coloured chewing gum, to shape the chewing gum bolus and in the consumption of hard foods. There was no difference in the swallowing threshold and the consumption of soft foods. The intake of energy and nutrients did not differ significantly between the groups. The differences in masticatory capacity found thus seem to have little, if any, effect on the factors of importance for general health. A reasonable explanation for the differences found is that artificial teeth that are well retained, such as FPDs, make more active chewing possible than do removable, and often somewhat loose-fitting partial dentures.     

Long-term prognosis of extensive polyunit cantilevered fixed partial dentures.

The aim of this retrospective study was to elucidate the long-term prognoses of extensive fixed partial dentures including unilateral or bilateral polyunit cantilevers in patients with healthy but reduced periodontal support. Following periodontal therapy 36 cross-arch fixed partial dentures with two or more cantilever units unilaterally or bilaterally were fitted in 34 patients. In the prosthodontic design, special attention was given to the retention to long parallel preparations, to the dimensions of the framework, and to the occlusal design. After completion of therapy, the patients were enrolled in a regular maintenance care program and followed up for a period of 5 to 12 years. During this follow-up period one abutment tooth was fractured in one patient. One fixed partial denture with extremely reduced periodontal support was lost as a result of complete periodontal breakdown from occlusal trauma. For 33 fixed partial dentures, neither periodontal nor technical complications occurred.     

Finite element analysis of fiber-reinforced fixed partial dentures

Two-dimensional finite element models were created for a three-unit posterior fixed partial denture. An experimental resin-impregnated glass fiber was used as the fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) for the framework. The FRC was evaluated using varying combinations of position and thickness, alongside with two types of veneering composite. A load of 50 N simulating bite force was applied at the pontic in a vertical direction. Tensile stress was examined using a finite element analysis program. Model without FRC showed tensile stress concentrations within the veneering composite on the cervical side of the pontic--from the connector area to the bottom of the pontic. Model with FRC at the top of the pontic had almost the same stress distribution as the model without FRC. Models with 0.4-0.8 mm thick FRC positioned at the bottom of the pontic showed maximum tensile stresses reduced by 4-19% within the veneering composite.     

Long-term clinical evaluation of 211 two-unit cantilevered resin-bonded fixed partial dentures

Objectives

This retrospective study aims to evaluate the long term clinical performance of two-unit cantilevered resin-bonded fixed partial dentures (RBFPDs) relating to their retention, success and survival rate.

Materials and methods

Prostheses that were placed at least four years previously were clinically reviewed to evaluate retention, success and survival rate. Additional information was also collected, including patient's gender, age and satisfaction on their prosthesis, operator's experience, prosthesis service life, root canal therapy if performed, abutment mobility, bone support, the presence of shim-stock contacts on the abutment or pontic in intercuspal position, and the presence of proximal axial contacts adjacent to the prosthesis. The date of any debonding with subsequent treatment was also recorded.

Results

A total of 211 two-unit RBFPDs were placed in 153 patients, with a mean service life of 113.2 ± 33.5 months. Twenty-eight prostheses debonded, resulting in a retention rate of 86.7 percent, and another five teeth were extracted with the prostheses, resulting in a success rate of 84.4 percent. 90.0 percent prostheses were functioning (survival rate) by means of rebonding at the time of review. The location of the replaced tooth had a significant effect on the retention of RBFPDs with posterior RBFPDs lower than anterior (p = 0.020). Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed 5-, 10- and 15-year cumulative probability of surviving was 0.97, 0.91 and 0.84, respectively.

Conclusions

211 two-unit RBFPDs were observed to have a success, retention and survival rate of 84.4, 86.7 and 90.0 percent, respectively, with a mean service life of 9.4 years.

Clinical Significance

Based on the clinical results, two-unit RBFPD are shown to be a durable prosthesis over the long term with high patient satisfaction. The posterior prostheses, particularly in the lower arch appeared to have a higher failure rate, and improved design features should be considered.     

Long-term observations of extensive fixed partial dentures on mandibular canine teeth

summary Twelve patients were followed for 15 years after treatment with a 12-unit cantilever fixed partial denture on the mandibular canines opposite to a complete maxillary denture. Four constructions failed and had to be removed but four were still in function after 15 years. Four patients died during the observation period still wearing their constructions. Endodontic complications, pulpal necrosis and loss of retention of posts were the most frequent, while caries and periodontal lesions were rare. The maintenance costs over the years were fairly low even compared to the maintenance costs for patients treated with implants. Extensive mandibular cantilever fixed partial dentures may be used in the rehabilitation of patients with a very reduced dentition and a history of difficulties in adapting to removable dentures.     

Fracture surface analysis of clinically failed fixed partial dentures

Ceramic systems have limited long-term fracture resistance, especially when they are used in posterior areas or for fixed partial dentures. The objective of this study was to determine the site of crack initiation and the causes of fracture of clinically failed ceramic fixed partial dentures. Six Empress 2 lithia-disilicate (Li(2)O x 2SiO(2))-based veneered bridges and 7 experimental lithia-disilicate-based non-veneered ceramic bridges were retrieved and analyzed. Fractography and fracture mechanics methods were used to estimate the stresses at failure in 6 bridges (50%) whose fracture initiated from the occlusal surface of the connectors. Fracture of 1 non-veneered bridge (8%) initiated within the gingival surface of the connector. Three veneered bridges fractured within the veneer layers. Failure stresses of the all-core fixed partial dentures ranged from 107 to 161 MPa. Failure stresses of the veneered fixed partial dentures ranged from 19 to 68 MPa. We conclude that fracture initiation sites are controlled primarily by contact damage.     

Soldering porcelain-fused-to-metal fixed partial dentures

A technique has been described for soldering the segments of a porcelain-fused-to-metal fixed partial denture that has been sectioned after its initial fabrication.     

上切牙区双端悬臂梁种植固定桥的应力分析

目的：通过分析双端悬臂梁种植义齿修复上颌切牙区牙列缺损的种植体在不同加载条件下的周围骨应力分布及位移量,进而探讨临床修复的可行性。方法：应用CT断层扫描技术对上颌骨及上颌牙列的大致轮廓进行三维重建,后于上中切牙区植入种植体,完成牙冠修复并建立模型。通过三维有限元技术模拟载荷,比较不同加载条件下种植体的周围骨组织应力分布及位移量。结果：经统计学分析,种植体-骨界面的皮质骨唇侧、舌侧、近中、远中、根尖部五个部位应力值的差异有统计学意义（P〈0.001）,五个部位的位移量的差异也有统计学意义（P〈0.001）。模型在各种加载条件下的应力分布及位移量的特征大致相同,且变化趋势相似,种植体颈部及周围骨皮质为应力集中区。在各种不同的加载条件中,30°加载角度时种植体周围骨应力分布更为科学。结论：在适当的负重条件下,双端悬臂梁种植义齿是临床修复切牙区缺失可供选择的一种设计方案。     

Adaptation of all-ceramic fixed partial dentures

Objectives

To measure the marginal and internal fit of three-unit fixed partial dentures (FPDs) using the micro-CT technique, testing the null hypothesis that there is no difference in the adaptation between the ceramic systems studied.

Methods

Stainless steel models of prepared abutments were fabricated to design the FPDs. Ten FPDs were produced from each framework ceramic (YZ - Vita In-Ceram YZ and IZ - Vita In-Ceram Zirconia) using CEREC inLab according to the manufacturer instructions. All FPDs were veneered using the recommended porcelain. Each FPD was seated on the original model and scanned using micro-CT. Files were processed using NRecon and CTAn software. Adobe Photoshop and Image J software were used to analyze the cross-sections images. Five measuring locations were used as follows: MG - marginal gap; CA - chamfer area; AW - axial wall; AOT - axio-occlusal transition area; OA - occlusal area. The horizontal marginal discrepancy (HMD) was evaluated in another set of images. Results were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey tests (α = 0.05).

Results

The mean values for MG, CA, AW, OA and HMD were significantly different for all tested groups (p < 0.05). IZ exhibited greater mean values than YZ for all measuring locations except for AW and AOT. OA showed the greatest mean gap values for both ceramic systems. MG and AW mean gap values were low for both systems.

Significance

The ceramic systems evaluated showed different levels of marginal and internal fit, rejecting the study hypothesis. Yet, both ceramic systems showed clinically acceptable marginal and internal fit.