Premature failure of a screw-retained ceramic single crown: A clinical report and fractographic analysis

Abstract

Screw-retained implant-supported ceramic restorations have shown increased rates of technical complications compared with their cemented counterparts, including fracture and chipping of the ceramic structures. The present clinical report identified the causes leading to the catastrophic failure of a screw-retained lithium disilicate veneered crown cemented to a zirconia abutment with a titanium base by using a systematic fractographic approach. A combination of occlusal overloading, a deficient design and inadequate material selection was identified as being responsible for the fracture. These findings highlight the importance of a thorough analysis of the anatomic conditions and loading scenario of screw-retained implant-supported restorations.