Multilayer zirconia: Influence of positioning within blank and sintering conditions on the in vitro performance of 3-unit fixed partial dentures.

Statement Of Problem: Multilayer zirconia blanks comprise material layers with different optical and mechanical properties. Whether positioning within the blank, as well as variation in the sintering procedure, will lead to restorations with different properties is unclear.

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to test the influence of sintering procedures and positioning in a multilayer blank on the in vitro performance of 3-unit zirconia fixed partial dentures.

Material And Methods: Human molars were embedded in acrylic resin and prepared for 3-unit fixed partial dentures. Anatomic contour prostheses were milled from zirconia blanks (ZirCAD Prime 16 mm) in 3 different positions: above (cusp-top at the top of the blank), central (center of the prosthesis in the center of the blank), and bottom (margins at the lower edge of the blank). Sintering time (2:26, 4:25, 9:50 hours:minutes) was varied for the central and bottom prostheses. All prostheses were glazed and adhesively bonded. Thermocycling and mechanical loading was performed at 2×3000×5 °C/55 °C in distilled water for 1.2×10 cycles at a 50-N load. Then, fracture force was determined with a universal testing device by using central loading, a Ø12-mm steel ball, a 1-mm tin foil, and a rate of 1 mm/min. Failure was defined as 10% force drop or acoustic signal (crack). Statistical analysis was performed with 1-way ANOVA and Bonferroni correction (α=.05).

Results: All fixed partial dentures survived thermocycling and mechanical loading. Fracture forces varied between 1002 ±446 N (above; 9:50 hours) and 1760 ±607 N (central; 9:50 hours). The 1-way ANOVA revealed no statistically significant differences (P=.059) among the groups. Individual significant differences (P=.048) were found between prostheses from positions above, 9:50 hours, and central, 9:50 hours. For normal and long sintering times, fracture forces were highest in the central position.

Conclusions: The sintering process and positioning of restorations within a multilayer zirconia blank have little effect on the mechanical properties of the prostheses.