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Mechanical testing of four‐unit implant‐supported prostheses with extensive pink gingiva porcelain: The dentogingival prostheses proof of concept
Author(s) -
Benalcázar Jalkh Ernesto B.,
Neto Juvenal de Souza,
Bergamo Edmara T. P.,
Maia Camila F.,
Bonfante Estevam A.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of esthetic and restorative dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.919
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1708-8240
pISSN - 1496-4155
DOI - 10.1111/jerd.12704
Subject(s) - weibull modulus , accelerated life testing , weibull distribution , materials science , abutment , fixation (population genetics) , implant , materials testing , dentistry , orthodontics , ceramic , composite material , medicine , structural engineering , mathematics , surgery , engineering , environmental health , population , statistics
Objective To investigate the probability of survival and failure modes of four‐unit implant‐supported porcelain fused to metal (PFM) dentogingival prostheses subjected to step‐stress accelerated life testing (SSALT). Materials and methods Eighteen implant‐supported PFM dentogingival prostheses with thin metallic infrastructures, which provided minimal ceramic support and improved esthetics were fabricated over external hexagonal connection UCLA abutments. SSALT was performed until specimen failure. Use level probability Weibull curve and reliability were calculated and plotted. Weibull modulus (m) and characteristic strength (η) were also calculated. Polarized light microscope and scanning electron microscope were used to characterize fractures. Results Failures were dictated by material strength rather than fatigue damage accumulation. The probability of survival for loads reaching 100 and 150 N in 100,000 cycles was 92 and 61%, respectively. No cracks or fractures were identified in the veneered porcelain, whereas abutment fixation screw fracture was the chief failure mode. Conclusion Implant‐supported PFM four‐unit dentogingival prostheses with minimum metal framework dimensions presented favorable lifetime prediction under fatigue testing. Fractures were restricted to fixation screws. Clinical significance In‐vitro fatigue testing and failure mode analyses evidenced favorable lifetime prediction for 4‐unit implant‐supported dentogingival prostheses with minimum metal frameworks. Abutment fixation screw fracture might be the most frequent clinical complication. Since this proof of concept has been tested in‐vitro, further studies including different restorative materials, as well as long‐term clinical trials are warranted.