Effect of connector configuration on the fracture load in conventional and translucent zirconia three-unit fixed dental prostheses

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the connector configuration on the fracture load in conventional and translucent zirconia of three-unit fixed dental prostheses (FDPs). MATERIALS AND METHODS. Six different three-unit FDPs were prepared (n = 6) from three types of zirconia (3Y-TZP (Katana ML®), 4Y-TZP (Katana STML®), and 5Y-TZP (Katana UTML®)) in combination with two connector configurations (4 x 2.25, 3 x 3 mm). The Co- Cr master models were scanned, and the FDPs were designed and fabricated using CAD-CAM. The FDPs were cemented on the metal model and then loaded with a UTM at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min until failure. Two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test were used for statistical analysis (α =.05). RESULTS. Fracture loads of 3Y-TZP (2740.6 ± 469.2 and 2718.7 ± 339.0 N for size 4 x 2.25 mm and 3 x 3 mm, respectively) were significantly higher than those of 4Y-TZP (1868.3 ± 281.6 and 1663.6 ± 372.7 N, respectively) and 5Y-TZP (1588.0 ± 255.0 and 1559.1 ± 110.0 N, respectively) (P <.05). No significant difference was found between fracture loads of 4Y-TZP and 5Y-TZP (P >.05). The connector configuration within 9 mm2 was found to have no effect on the fracture loads on all three types of zirconia (P >.05). CONCLUSION. Fracture loads of three-unit FDPs were affected by the type of zirconia. The fracture loads of conventional zirconia were higher than those of translucent zirconia. However, it was not affected by the connector configuration when the connector had a cross-sectional area of 9 mm2.