Czech republic

Abstract

Although all ceramic dental bridges offer high aesthetic standards and excellent biocompatibility, their clinical reliability remains limited—especially in extensive restorations and when cantilever extensions are involved.

Research shows that fractures affect up to 12% of all-ceramic bridges within five years, with cantilevered constructions reaching up to 25% failure. A key factor in these failures is inaccuracy in design and fit, leading to non-physiological stress distribution.

This contribution presents an innovative digital workflow. The entire construction is based on a single, precise intraoral scan, eliminating errors caused by multiple data transfers. This method demonstrably reduces inaccuracies by 30–50% compared to traditional multi-step procedures. By doing so, it minimizes the risk of micro tension at connector sites and significantly improves long-term stability.

The study also compares different construction strategies: pure ceramic designs versus digitally customized abutments and titanium reinforcement frameworks beneath the ceramic layer, which reduce the failure rate to below 2% even in extensive rehabilitation. Clinical case reports confirm that proper material selection and a precise digital approach are crucial factors for success, particularly in complex cases involving cantilevers.

The aim is to offer efficient and predictable protocols for preventing failures of all-ceramic bridges in modern dental practice.
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