Clinical performance of all-ceramic cantilever fixed dental prostheses: Results of a 2-year randomized pilot study

Objective: To evaluate the clinical performance of zirconia-based cantilever fixed dental prostheses (FDPs). Method and Materials: Twenty-one cantilever FDPs with three or four units were designed to replace one premolar or incisor (no canines). The FDPs were divided into 11 zirconia cantilever FDPs (test group) and 10 metal-ceramic cantilever FDPs (control group) and randomly assigned to patients. The results documented included failures, complications, plaque accumulation, and esthetic performance. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests. Results: During the 2-year observation period, a total of five clinically relevant complications in four patients occurred: three endodontic problems (two in the test group and one in the control group) and two veneer chippings (both in the test group). Plaque accumulation on the abutment teeth was not significantly different among groups. The esthetic performance of all FDPs was acceptable. Conclusion: Stability and esthetic performance were acceptable for all-ceramic cantilever FDPs fabricated with zirconia. A longer observation period and larger sample size are necessary to make valid predictions about the longevity of these restorations. Keywords: cantilever, FDPs, randomized, zirconia