Effect of dynamic loading on fracture resistance of gradient zirconia fixed partial denture frameworks

The new strength-gradient zirconia composed of 3-mol% yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (3Y-TZP) and 5-mol% yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (5Y-TZP) has been claimed to have superior mechanical properties. However, data on the fracture resistance of 3-unit gradient 5Y-TZP and 3Y-TZP fixed partial denture frameworks are lacking.The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of dynamic loading on the fracture resistance of gradient zirconia fixed partial denture frameworks.Two standardized stainless-steel master dies were designed to simulate a mandibular left second premolar and second molar prepared to receive zirconia frameworks. The frameworks were designed with a 0.6-mm uniform wall thickness. The mesiodistal width of the connectors was 3 ±0.02 mm, and the occlusogingival height was 3 ±0.02 mm. Forty zirconia frameworks were fabricated and divided into 2 groups according to the tested materials (n=20): 3Y-TZP and gradient 5Y-TZP and 3Y-TZP. The frameworks were cemented onto their corresponding dies with a conventional glass ionomer cement. Half of the cemented frameworks in each group underwent 600 000 cycles of dynamic loading in a mastication simulator (n=10). The other half was fractured without dynamic loading (n=10). Fracture resistance measurements (N) for each framework were recorded by using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. A fractured framework from each group was examined by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) at ×100 magnification. The data obtained were statistically analyzed by using 2-way ANOVA, the pairwise Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD), and simple main effect tests to detect the difference between group mean values (α=.05).The mean ±standard deviation of fracture load value before dynamic loading was 1919 ±193 N for the 3Y-TZP group and 908 ±99 N for the gradient 5Y-TZP and 3Y-TZP group. In addition, the mean fracture load value after dynamic loading was 1418 ±163 N for the 3Y-TZP group and 716 ±85 N for the gradient 5Y-TZP and 3Y-TZP group. The interaction between the effects of the zirconia material and dynamic loading on the fracture resistance was statistically significant (P=.002). The 3Y-TZP group had a statistically significant, higher fracture load mean value the gradient 5Y-TZP and 3Y-TZP group before and after dynamic loading (P<.001).The fracture resistance of 3Y-TZP frameworks was significantly higher than that of gradient 5Y-TZP and 3Y-TZP frameworks before and after dynamic loading. Dynamic loading significantly reduced the fracture resistance of 3Y-TZP and gradient 5Y-TZP and 3Y-TZP frameworks.