Effect of ceramic infrastructure on the failure behavior and stress distribution of fixed partial dentures

ObjectivesThe effect of the ceramic infrastructure (IS) on the failure behavior and stress distribution of fixed partial dentures (FPDs) was evaluated.MethodsTwenty FPDs with a connector cross-section of 16 mm2 were produced for each IS and veneered with porcelain: (YZ) Vita In-Ceram YZ/Vita VM9 porcelain; (IZ) Vita In-Ceram Zirconia/Vita VM7 porcelain; (AL) Vita In-Ceram AL/Vita VM7 porcelain. Two experimental conditions were evaluated (n = 10). For control specimens, load was applied in the center of the pontic at 0.5 mm/min until failure, using a universal testing machine, in 37 °C deionized water. For mechanical cycling (MC) specimens, FPDs were subjected to MC (2 Hz, 140 N, 106 cycles) and subsequently tested as described for the control group. For YZ, an extra group of 10 FPDs were built with a connector cross-section of 9 mm2 and tested until failure. Fractography and FEA were performed. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05).ResultsYZ16 showed the greatest fracture load mean value, followed by YZ16-MC. Specimens from groups YZ9, IZ16, IZ16-MC, AL16 and AL16-MC showed no significant difference for the fracture load.SignificanceThe failure behavior and stress distribution of FPDs was influenced by the type of IS. AL and IZ FPDs showed similar fracture load values but different failure modes and stress distribution. YZ showed the best mechanical behavior and may be considered the material of choice to produce posterior FPDs as it was possible to obtain a good mechanical performance even with a smaller connector dimension (9 mm2).