Clinical performance of full-arch implant-supported fixed restorations made of monolithic zirconia luted to a titanium bar: A retrospective study with a mean follow-up of 16 months

Abstract

ObjectivesThis retrospective case series aimed to evaluate the short-term clinical advantages and limitations of full-arch implant-supported restorations made of monolithic zirconia suprastructures passively luted to titanium bar infrastructures and to report the rate of complications within a minimum of 1-year follow-up. Materials and methodsThis study included 31 patients (19 men and 12 women) requiring full-arch implant-supported prostheses in the upper or lower jaw. The patients were treated using an entirely digital approach from implant planning and guided implant placement to prosthetic construction planning, design, and fabrication. Full-arch implant-supported monolithic zirconia suprastructures luted to prism-shaped titanium bars were used in all the cases. All the restorations were evaluated for biological and technical complications during fixed control appointments. ResultsNo implant failures or serviceable prosthetic complications were reported, and the prosthetic survival rate was 100%, with a follow-up duration ranging from 12 months to 20 months. In two cases, a fracture line was observed in the zirconia suprastructures, although it did not require any intervention. ConclusionsAfter a 16-month mean follow-up period, the monolithic zirconia implant-supported full-arch fixed dental prostheses demonstrated no biological or technical complications. Further clinical studies with long-term results are required to confirm these reported outcomes. Clinical significanceCAD-/CAM-milled monolithic zirconia structures passively luted to titanium bar infrastructures are a viable treatment option for full-arch restorations over implants, demonstrating 100% survival and success rates in the present study. The outcomes of this short-term retrospective study indicated high success in function, aesthetics, phonetics, and the ability to maintain flawless hygiene. However, the long-term results of restorations produced using the proposed technique should be considered before recommending this approach for routine clinical use.