Zirconia Posterior Fixed Partial Dentures: 5-Year Clinical Results of a Prospective Clinical Trial

This study aimed to evaluate three- and four-unit posterior fixed partial dentures (FPDs) with zirconia frameworks after 5 years of function. Of the initial 30 subjects, 25 patients with 25 FPDs were examined after a mean follow-up period of 62.1 months. Five patients were not available for recall visits. Two FPDs failed before the 60-month evaluation because of framework fracture or delamination of the veneering ceramic after endodontic treatment. The 5-year survival rate was 92%. Based on these results, it can be suggested that zirconia frameworks have sufficient mechanical requirements for use in the stress-bearing posterior region. Major fracture of the ceramic veneer could be related to inadequate framework design or bruxism.