OBJECTIVES: To assess the long-term clinical outcome of posterior inlay-retained fixed dental prostheses (IRFDPs) with a modified design made from zirconia ceramic.

METHODS: In 30 patients thirty 3-unit IRFDPs were placed to replace 7 premolars (4 in the maxilla, 3 in the mandible), and 23 first molars (15 in the maxilla, 8 in the mandible). Preparations were accomplished in agreement with the general principles for ceramic inlay restorations and modified with a short retainer-wing bevel preparation within the enamel at the buccal and oral sides. The frameworks were milled from 3Y-TZP ceramic, and the pontics were veneered with feldspathic ceramic. All IRFDPs were bonded with a phosphate monomer containing luting resin after air-abrasion of the intaglio surfaces. The patients were recalled 6-12 months after placement, and then annually. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to calculate the survival and complication rates of the IRFDPs.

RESULTS: The mean observation time was 10.6 ± 1.5 years. The 10-year cumulative survival rate was 89% with 4 failures, two of them were due to deep secondary caries with loss of retention, one due to repeated debonding with enamel fractures, and one due to generalized progressive periodontitis. The most common complication was chipping of the veneering ceramic (20.1%). Eighteen IRFDPs were free of any type of complication up to 15.4 years, which corresponds to a 10-year cumulative success rate of 70.4%.

CONCLUSION: The long-term clinical performance of modified IRFDPs made of veneered zirconia ceramics was favorable after 10 years, therefore, they represent a treatment alternative to replace posterior single missing teeth.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Zirconia-based IRFDPs fabricated in the modified design may represent a substance-preserving alternative to conventional posterior FDPs to replace posterior single missing teeth, particularly in cases where implants cannot be placed, and when the adjacent teeth already have small restorations or defects.