Evaluation of Fracture Resistance of Varying Thicknesses of Zirconia Around Implant Abutment Cylinders

Zirconia is becoming increasingly used as a restorative material for implant-supported restorations; however, information is lacking with respect to the minimum thickness of zirconia surrounding the implant components. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the resistance to fracture of different thicknesses of zirconia luted to implant components. Thirty cylinders of zirconia (Prettau, Zirkonzahn) with 13-mm height, designed with indented occlusal surface for loading, and varying wall thicknesses (0.5 mm, 1 mm, 1.5 mm; n = 10/group) were milled using a computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing system (Modellier, Zirkonzahn), after which they were sintered. Titanium temporary cylinders (ITCS41, Biomet3i) were attached to 30 implant analogs (ILA20, Biomet3i) that were embedded into polymethylmethacrylate blocks (Palapress Vario, Heraeus Kulzer) with dimensions of 4.5 × 1.8 × 2 cm. Zirconia specimens were cemented to the titanium cylinders using a self-adhesive, dual-cure resin cement (Panavia SA, Kuraray). Load to failure test was performed under compression until fracture using a universal testing machine (Instron5965, Instron) at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min and measured in N (Newton). Statistical analysis was performed using 1-way analysis of variance and Tukey B test at α = .05 (SPSS19, IBM). Mean load to failure was 1059.94 N, 2019.46 N, and 4074.79 N for groups 0.5 mm, 1 mm, and 1.5 mm, respectively. Values were significantly different between the groups (P < .05). Study limitations are that it is in vitro, specimens do not replicate tooth dimensions, and forces are static and directed toward the occlusal portion of each specimen. Within these limitations and considering the average human bite force, a thickness of 0.5 mm to 1 mm of this particular type of zirconia around this type of implant component can avoid fracture with these dimensions.