Description

The clinical success of implant-supported prostheses is significantly influenced by the material used, as it directly affects both prosthetic longevity and patient satisfaction. Monolithic zirconia, despite its widespread popularity, presents notable clinical challenges. Its excessive rigidity often leads to mechanical failures such as chipping, fractures, and increased wear of the opposing dentition. Moreover, zirconia's limited ability to absorb and dissipate occlusal forces can result in elevated stresses on implant components, contributing to screw loosening or fractures and necessitating frequent maintenance interventions. These complications not only escalate the overall cost of care but also negatively impact patient outcomes, leading to discomfort, inconvenience, and dissatisfaction. Consequently, there is a pressing need to explore alternative restorative materials that maintain strength and esthetic appeal while mitigating these clinical issues. Biomimetic reinforced resin composites, engineered to emulate the mechanical behavior of natural tooth structures, offer a promising solution. By more effectively absorbing and distributing occlusal forces, these materials may reduce stress on both prostheses and surrounding tissues. If clinically validated, biomimetic resins could lead to fewer mechanical complications, improved bone preservation, and enhanced overall durability of implant-supported prostheses. The clinical implications of adopting biomimetic reinforced resin are substantial; a material that reduces the frequency of repairs and replacements compared to monolithic zirconia would mark a significant advancement in prosthetic dentistry, offering clinicians a superior restorative option and improving patient satisfaction through more stable, long-term outcomes.

To investigate this, mandibular Class II partially edentulous patients will be recruited from the outpatient clinic at the Department of Prosthodontics, Cairo University, based on specific inclusion criteria. After obtaining informed consent and conducting a comprehensive clinical examination, each patient will receive two implants in the edentulous area, restored initially with a screw-retained bridge made of milled monolithic zirconia. After six months, the zirconia bridge will be replaced with a milled resin-reinforced composite bridge. The sequence of material placement will be randomized for each participant, ensuring that each patient uses both materials sequentially without a washout period.

Intraoral scans and digital bite registrations will be performed, and prostheses will be designed using CAD software. Fabrication will follow standardized milling techniques for both zirconia and resin-reinforced composite materials. Bone levels around the implants will be evaluated using long cone parallel periapical radiographs, with measurements recorded at 0 and 6 months during each material phase. This approach allows for direct comparison of the two materials' effects on peri-implant bone health.

Biting forces will also be assessed using an occlusal force meter. A reference bite force will be measured on the intact side, followed by measurements on the intervention side after the placement of each restorative material. Each measurement will be repeated five times and averaged to ensure accuracy. All data regarding bone levels and biting forces will be recorded, tabulated, and statistically analyzed in the presence of an outcome assessor during clinical visits. Through this study design, it will be possible to evaluate the mechanical and biological performance of monolithic zirconia versus biomimetic reinforced resin composites in implant-supported prostheses.