Clinical Aspects of Combination of Aesthetic Fixed Prosthetic Appliances

The objective of the research was to study the peculiarities of the combination of zirconia and ceramic occlusal surfaces when constructing aesthetic fixed prosthetic appliances. Materials and methods. The study included 70 patients with zirconia and ceramic occlusal surfaces of aesthetic fixed dental prostheses. Group I included 24 patients with a combination of zirconia and ceramic occlusal surfaces. Group II included 30 patients with a combination of ceramic occlusal surfaces. Group III included 16 patients with a combination of zirconia occlusal surfaces. All the patients were observed 12 and 24 months after prosthetic repair. Results. 12 and 24 months after prosthetic repair, the occlusal contact surface area was the largest in Group II (8.18±0.16 mm2 and 9.17±0.1 mm2, respectively). In Group I, where only one occlusive surface was made of zirconium dioxide, significantly reduced levels of abrasion were observed as compared to Group II – 8.07±0.21 mm2 and 8.65±0.23 mm2, respectively. 36 months after denture wearing, in Group III, the smallest contact surface area – 7.84±0.15 mm2as well as the lowest growth of the surface area was observed – 8.07±0.13 mm2. Conclusions. Dental prostheses with at least one ceramic occlusal surface exhibit a strong tendency to abrasion and, consequently, to an increase in the occlusal surface area resulting in an excessive load on prosthetic appliance. Moreover, functional and aesthetic values of prosthetic prosthesis sharply decrease. Therefore, we recommend to produce zirconia occlusal surface or at least to combine the same materials, as it will increase the longevity of prosthetic appliance