Short-term clinical performance of zirconia single crowns with different framework designs: 3-year clinical trial

PURPOSE: The present prospective clinical study evaluated the influence of coping design on the fracture resistance of CAD/CAM zirconia single crowns layered with dedicated ceramics. METHODS: 56 subjects were provided with 90 zirconia single crowns in posterior regions. Tooth preparations were standardized and the abutment teeth were randomly distributed into three groups, according to three different coping designs (flat design, FD; porcelain-fused-to-metal-like crowns, PFM; anatomically-guided, AG). The zirconia cores were produced using a CAD/CAM software and then were hand-layered with dedicated ceramics. All crowns were cemented with a self-adhesive resin luting agent and the patients were recalled for follow-up visits after 1 month, 6 months, 1, 2 and 3 years of clinical service. The function, esthetics and marginal adaptation of the restorations were evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate survival and success of the restorations. RESULTS: Success rates of 100% were reported in Group 2 and Group 3 while the percentage was 80% in Group 1. Three chippings were noticed in Group 1 (FD) and two crowns needed to be replaced after 3 years, resulting in a survival rate of 93.3%. Group 2 and Group 3 had significantly higher 3-year success rates than Group 1 (P < 0.05). Based on the present clinical results, the following conclusions were drawn: the porcelain-fused-to-metal-like and the anatomically-guided frameworks for zirconia single crowns performed better clinically than the flat designed cores in posterior regions after 3 years; standardized tooth preparations achieved even thicknesses of the bilayered restorations; the proper support given to the veneering ceramic by the correct design of the zirconia framework could significantly reduce the risk of chipping during functio