Zirconia - Titanium Hybrid Prosthesis for An Edentulous Patient: Advantages and Considerations

Alia Khazaal, BDS; Ramtin Sadid-Zadeh, DDS, MS; Rashmi Radhakrishnan, BDS, MS, DMD; Chin-Chuan Fu, DDS, MS

Purpose:

To demonstrate the treatment workflow of a zirconia-titanium hybrid prosthesis for an edentulous patient and discuss the, advantages and considerations of other treatment options.

Methods:

A 60-year-old Caucasian female presented to the UAB Prosthodontics Clinic with an acrylic fixed complete denture supported by four implants on the mandibular arch, opposing a maxillary complete denture. Her chief complaint was cracking of existing prosthesis and difficulty to access for cleansability. Upon evaluation it was noticed that she has limited inter-arch space (9mm at the right posterior region). The patient declined to replace or modify the existing maxillary complete denture. Kindly refer to table 1 for fixed treatment plan options and considerations. Based on clinical findings and evaluation, the decision for a zirconia sleeve over a titanium bar framework was made.

Results:

Zirconia- titanium hybrid mandibular fixed prosthesis can be an alternative treatment option for a patient with limited inter-arch space with good long-term prognosis.

Conclusion:

Prosthetically driven implant placement is crucial for an implant retained prosthesis for edentulous patients. With various materials available in dentistry, proper assessment of prosthetic space available, and understanding the required space for different prosthesis options considering cost-effectiveness, are critical factors in determining treatment methods that can provide longevity of prosthesis with fewer mechanical complications and better patient outcomes.