Design improvement of Y-TZP three unit bridges by predicted stress concentration using FEA and experimental failure modes after three point bending test

Abstract

In this study an attempt to improve a three unit partial denture design is presented by performing experimental trials to find the failure load of a Y-TZP dental infrastructure. The experimental results are linked with FEA predictions to explain failure and find the optimum design. The test samples used were three unit fixed partial dentures obtained by CAD/CAM using as starting point a clinical case. Design improvement attempt was to increase connector cross-section size and modify its shape. Four samples with circular and elliptical connector cross-sections and 5mm2 and 9mm2 area were tested in flexure. The models created for CAM were used to perform FEA and find the stress distribution, pinpoint the stress concentrators and link the results to experimental failure modes. The results showed that connector design plays an important role in restoration success and increasing connector cross-section area the stress is distributed in a uniform manner. It was concluded that increasing connector cross-section area and using a wider shape (ellipse) strongly decreases failure probability.