Compressive strength of connectors with different areas in three-unit polychromatic monolithic zirconia fixed partial dentures
Objective: To compare the compressive strength of connectors with different areas in three-unit fixed partial dentures (FPDs) fabricated from three types of polychromatic monolithic zirconia using CAD/CAM technology. Materials and methods: An in vitro experimental study was conducted with 30 FPD sam...
| Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | article |
| Status: | Published version |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Country: | Perú |
| Institution: | Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia |
| Repository: | Revistas - Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia |
| Language: | Spanish |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:revistas.upch.edu.pe:article/5805 |
| Online Access: | https://revistas.upch.edu.pe/index.php/REH/article/view/5805 |
| Access Level: | Open access |
| Keyword: | prótesis dental parcial fija zirconia monolítica fuerza compresiva tecnología CAD/CAM fixed partial dental prosthesis monolithic zirconia compressive strength CAD/CAM technology prótese dentária parcial fixa zircônia monolítica resistência à compressão tecnologia CAD/CAM |
| Summary: | Objective: To compare the compressive strength of connectors with different areas in three-unit fixed partial dentures (FPDs) fabricated from three types of polychromatic monolithic zirconia using CAD/CAM technology. Materials and methods: An in vitro experimental study was conducted with 30 FPD samples fabricated from three brands of polychromatic monolithic zirconia: IPS e.max® ZirCAD MT Multi (Ivoclar Vivadent; Schaan, Liechtenstein), KatanaTM Zirconia Super Translucent Multi Layered (STML) (Noritake Dental Supply; Okayama, Japan), and Ceramill® Zolid fx Multilayer (Amann Girrbach; Koblach, Austria). For each brand, 10 specimens were fabricated and subdivided into two subgroups according to connector area: 9 mm² (n = 5) and 12 mm² (n = 5). The specimens were subjected to compressive strength testing in a universal testing machine (CMT-5L, LG; Anyang, South Korea), applying a vertical load at the center of the pontic until fracture occurred. The obtained data were analyzed using the Kruskal -Wallis and Mann -Whitney U tests. Results: The 12 mm² connectors showed significantly greater compressive strength than the 9 mm² connectors, regardless of the brand used (medians of 1557.76 N [IQR: 425.54 N] vs. 1180.40 N [IQR: 708.32 N]; p = 0.024). KatanaTM Zirconia STML and IPS e.max® ZirCAD MT Multi zirconia achieved higher strength values than Ceramill® Zolid fx Multilayer for both connector sizes (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Connector area significantly influenced the compressive strength of polychromatic monolithic zirconia FPDs. The 12 mm² connectors exhibited greater strength, and KatanaTM Zirconia STML and IPS e.max® ZirCAD MT Multi showed better performance compared with Ceramill® Zolid fx Multilayer. These findings suggest that increasing connector area may favor the clinical longevity of restorations. |
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