FRACTURE STRENGTH BETWEEN DIFFERENT CONNECTOR DESIGNS OF ZIRCONIA CORE FOR POSTERIOR FIXED PARTIAL DENTURES MANUFACTURED WITH CAD/CAM SYSTEM

Statements of problem: Zirconia core is used for posterior fixed partial dentures because it's good mechanical properties. Stress is concentrated on connectors in fixed partial dentures, so the proper design of connector areas is needed for adequate mechanical long-term properties of any prosthesis. The area of connector is critical, but tooth size and surrounding soft tissue limit the connector design. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare fracture strengths between different connector designs of zirconia core for posterior fixed partial dentures manufactured with CAD/CAM system and determining the optimal connector design satisfying strength and hygiene. Material and method: The following four groups of 40 posterior fixed partial denture specimens(each group 10) were fabricated as followed; group 1 vertical height of connector is 3mm (control group, all groups have the same condition); group 2, lingual vertical 1mm reinforcement on connector; group 3, lingual vertical 2mm reinforcing on connector and group 4, lingual vertical 3mm reinforcing on connector. Specimens were subjected to compressive loading on the central fossa of pontic by instron. SEM was used to identify the initial crack and characterize the fracture mode. Results: The results were as follows: 1. The mean fracture load of the non-lingual reinforcing group was 1212N and the lingual vertical 1mm reinforcing group was 1510N, the lingual vertical 2mm reinforcing group was 1882N, the lingual vertical 3mm reinforcing group was 1980N. 2. The reinforcing groups were statistically significant compared to non-reinforcing groups(P0.05) 4. Fractures were initiated in gingival embrasures of connectors and processed to the loading site. Conclusion: In this study, lingual reinforcement of connector for improved strength of zirconia based fixed partial denture is nessasary. And long-term study for clinical application is requiredope