Outcome of zirconia single crowns made by predoctoral dental students: a clinical retrospective study after 2 to 6 years of clinical service

Abstract

Statement of problem: Zirconia has established its role as a reliable ceramic material for fixed prostheses.

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the outcome of zirconia single crowns made by predoctoral students after 2 to 6 years of clinical service.

Material and methods: A cohort of 88 patients treated with zirconia single crowns (mean 3 crowns per patient, range 1 to 12 crowns) from 2007 to 2010 by predoctoral dental students was identified. The patients were invited to attend a clinical examination.

Results: Sixty-six participants (75%) took part in the clinical follow-up (30 women and 36 men; mean age 60.4 years, range 19 to 81 years). Altogether, 190 teeth with single crowns were examined, and the mean follow-up time was 3.88 years (1.85 to 6.04 years). The most common complications were chipping of veneering porcelain (4%) and loss of cementation (4%). The success rate of the zirconia single crowns after 2 to 6 years was 80% and the survival rate 89%.

Conclusions: Zirconia crowns can be successfully used in predoctoral dental education. The success rate of zirconia single crowns after 2 to 6 years was 80% and the survival rate was 89%, in accordance with previous studies.