How to Temporarily Repair a Fractured Implant-Supported Zirconia Prosthesis

An infrequent but possible complication of delivering a full arch zirconia implant-supported prosthesis is the fracture of the zirconia framework. This complication can be seen more commonly in patients who exhibit parafunctional habits. This visual essay describes the basic steps of temporarily repairing a fractured implant-supported zirconia prosthesis. As you will see below (Fig. 7), I provide a step-by-step reparation protocol:

  • Sandblast two bars of A102 (110 microns)
  • Silane one minute per surface
  • Allow five minutes to evaporate
  • Apply bonding agent
  • Cementation utilizing dual curing resin cement
RicardoMitrani TempRepairFracturedImplantZirconia Fig.1
Figure 1: Frontal view of the fractured zirconia prosthesis, which had been inserted 4.5 years earlier.
RicardoMitrani TempRepairFracturedImplantZirconia Fig.2
Figure 2: Occlusal view of the fractured prosthesis.
RicardoMitrani TempRepairFracturedImplantZirconia Fig.3
Figure 3: Fractured prosthesis and screw. Note the thickness of the prosthesis.
RicardoMitrani TempRepairFracturedImplantZirconia Fig.4
Figure 4: Fractured screw that probably broke after the prosthesis was fractured.
RicardoMitrani TempRepairFracturedImplantZirconia Fig.5
Figure 5: Fractured prosthesis. Note the thickness of the prosthesis around the temporary cylinder.
RicardoMitrani TempRepairFracturedImplantZirconia Fig.6
Figure 6: Close-up view of the fractured prosthesis.
RicardoMitrani TempRepairFracturedImplantZirconia Fig.7
Figure 7: Step-by-step reparation protocol.
RicardoMitrani TempRepairFracturedImplantZirconia Fig.8
Figure 8: Close-up view of silane application.
RicardoMitrani TempRepairFracturedImplantZirconia Fig.9
Figure 9: Both prosthesis pieces were secured in the master model to confirm the position.
RicardoMitrani TempRepairFracturedImplantZirconia Fig.10
Figure 10: Prosthesis after cementation. Note the chipped part of the layered pink porcelain.
RicardoMitrani TempRepairFracturedImplantZirconia Fig.11
Figure 11: Note the intimate contact of both pieces, making the bonding procedure more predictable.
RicardoMitrani TempRepairFracturedImplantZirconia Fig.12
Figure 12: Intraoral view of the repaired prosthesis. Note the pink area was repaired with pink composite.
RicardoMitrani TempRepairFracturedImplantZirconia Fig.13
Figure 13: Intraoral view of the repaired prosthesis in occlusion.
RicardoMitrani TempRepairFracturedImplantZirconia Fig.14
Figure 14: Occlusal view of the repaired prosthesis.
RicardoMitrani TempRepairFracturedImplantZirconia Fig.15
Figure 15: Patient’s smile with repaired prosthesis.

This is a step-by-step technique for repairing a fractured zirconia implant-supported framework. It’s essential to clearly communicate to the patient that this is a temporary repair. At the same time, a new zirconia prosthesis has been fabricated, but it allows for the relatively easy and inexpensive treatment of emergencies.

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By: Ricardo Mitrani
Date: November 4, 2020


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