Posterior Implant-Supported Modified Monolithic Zirconia and Metal-Ceramic Single Crowns: 5 Years Study

Overview

The outcome of implant therapy has been presented in the majority of clinical studies by focusing only on implant survival without providing detailed information on the reconstructions . However, for decision making, it is important to know the survival rates and the incidence of biological and technical complications not only for the implants but also for the reconstructions. Thus, the selection of restoration materials should be based on proper optical characteristics in addition to biocompatibility and sufficient strength of materials. Monolithic zirconia has been used in posterior region, especially for single crowns, in order to eliminate the veneer cracking, But Since monolithic zirconia are relatively new, few randomized, controlled clinical studies have evaluated their success. There is only one study identified regarding the performance of monolithic ceramic restorations bonded to Ti inserts, investigating the clinical outcome of using monolithic or modified monolithic zirconia implant-supported single crowns and comparing outcomes and complications of metal-ceramic and monolithic or modified monolithic zirconia implant supported single crowns. More clinical studies to evaluate the performance of CAD/CAM monolithic implant-supported restorations bonded to Ti inserts and bases and compare their survival, success and complication rates with other restorative options \[with a mean follow-up period of at least 5 years are required for a meaningful interpretation of the survival and complication rate . So this study aims to investigate outcomes and complications of implant supported modified monolithic zirconia and metal-ceramic single crowns in the posterior region of the mouth. The null hypothesis is that there is no difference between modified monolithic zirconia and metal-ceramic posterior implant-supported SCs in prosthetic complication rates.

Background: Dental implants restored with single crowns (SCs) have been reported to have a comparable survival rate and fewer technical complications compared to multiple-unit implant-supported FDPs. Porcelain-fused to metal restorations were the golden standard option for implant supported reconstructions in the past, but nowadays, the application of all-ceramic restorations in general and specifically zirconia as a restorative material for implant-supported single crowns has increased utilizing the CAD/CAM technology. The continuous technological progress in both the computer-based development and the dental manufacturing process ensures new opportunities in the clinical workflow. A fully digital pathway in a model-free approach or a combination of these workflows is now possible. Purpose: The purpose of this randomized controlled clinical trial is to investigate the prosthetic outcomes of posterior implant-supported single crowns (SCs) with a modified monolithic zirconia or metal-ceramic design utilizing the digital workflow at 1, 3 and 5 years of loading. Materials and methods: This single-blind split mouth study will enroll 60 participants, having to receive 120 dental Implants. They will be scheduled for a bilateral posterior single-unit prosthetic rehabilitation supported by one implant in the posterior region of the maxilla or the mandible (premolars, molars). A fully digital pathway will be followed. A CT scan will be performed without any template. An intraoral optical impression using CEREC Omnicam scanner will be made. A virtual set-up of the prosthetic reconstruction, as well as a surgical template with optimal 3-D implant positioning will be designed then printed using a 3-D printer without the need of any physical model. Straumann bone level implants with either a wide diameter (Ø4.8 mm) or regular diameter (Ø4.1 mm) with a minimum length of 8 mm will be inserted. Implants will be loaded after 3 months of submerged healing. A second intraoral optical impression will be made using CEREC Omnicam scanner and Straumann scanbody. The implant-supported prosthetic suprastructure will be designed. Implants will be randomly allocated to either the test group modified monolithic zirconia crowns (MMZ) or the control group metal ceramic crowns (MC), using a computer-generated randomization list. A digital model with movable dies will be 3-D printed, then used to adjust restoration in terms of occlusal and proximal contacts. Prefabricated screw-retained Titanium abutments (Variobase Abutment; Straumann) will be used as the metal substructures of the crowns and will be secured to lab analogues on the digitally printed casts. Metal/ zirconia substructures with a hole for the screw retention will be designed using the CAD software and will be anatomically reduced by 1 mm to allow for porcelain veneering then will be laser-printed/ dry milled. Hand layering of glass ceramic will be made on the surface. Crowns will be cemented extraorally to titanium abutments using dual cure resin cement to make one-piece screw-retained single crown. The screw-retained single crowns and titanium abutments will be inserted intraorally with 35 Ncm torque and screw-access holes will be restored with Teflon and light-polymerized composite resin. The implant-supported SCs will be examined after 1, 3 and 5 years for survival and technical complications. Clinical significance: to evaluate the survival and prosthetic complication rates of zirconia-ceramic and metal-ceramic implant-supported single crowns at 1, 3 and 5 years of service. In addition to that, the digital workflow for implant supported single crowns will be evaluated for efficiency, accuracy, time and cost compared to conventional workflow.