Zirconia removable telescopic dentures retained on teeth or implants for maxilla rehabilitation. Three-year observation of three cases.

Abstract

This report addresses maxillary restoration with removable telescopic crown-retained palatal free dentures. One patient with 7 natural teeth (PERIO), a second patient with 6 dental implants (IMPL), and a third patient with 2 natural teeth and 4 dental implants (IMPL-PERIO) were treated. Zirconia copings for natural teeth and individual zirconia implant abutments were fabricated in CAD/CAM and used as primary crowns. Electroformed gold copings were used as secondary telescopes. All maxilla supraconstructions were fabricated with zirconia and CAD/CAM. Patients were monitored during a 3-year period; all teeth and implants survived, and no biological or mechanical complications occurred. The peri-implant and periodontal conditions were healthy. While recognizing the limitations of this report, results showed that fabricating removable zirconia structures by means of CAD/CAM can yield highly functional and esthetic results. Galvanoforming technology is the preferable means of fabricating secondary crowns. The combination of these techniques and materials results in a prosthetic reconstruction of high quality, good fit, and biocompatibility. Long-term studies of large populations are necessary to investigate the clinical properties of the material utilized in this type of construction.