ZIRCONIA RESIN BONDED BRIDGES: AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE DENTAL PROSTHESES

Abstract

Resin-bonded bridges (RBBs) are considered one of the most minimally invasive treatment modalities for the replacement of missing teeth. In an era of metal-free natural-coloured dental restorations, zirconia resin-bonded bridges (ZrRBBs) are an innovative approach for patients requiring a high aesthetic demand where other options are challenging. In addition to the aesthetic appearance, various investigations demonstrated several benefits of using ZrRBBs over other types of framework materials such as low incidence of framework fracture and ceramic chippings. However, debonding could be an issue if the case is not well-planned. Even though long-term randomised clinical trials are rare, the current evidence has shown short-to medium-term high survival rate for cantilevered ZrRBBs that have been cemented using Panavia resin cement. Careful case selection, detailed examinations, and appropriate treatment planning ensure reliable restorations and predictable consequences. The literature also has reported some factors that increase survival rate of ZrRBBs such as retentive tooth preparation confined to the enamel, mechanical treatment of the retainer fitting surface with an air-abrasion of 50 μm alumina particles with a pressure of 0.25 MPa or less, and chemical treatment of the retainer fitting surface with adhesion promoting agents containing an MDP monomer or phosphorylated methacrylates containing a primer in addition to silane.