The superiority of implant-supported restorations compared to conventional dentures cannot be overstated. By dramatically increasing prosthetic stability, implant-supported full-arch restorations significantly improve masticatory and speech functions.¹ The positive impact of implant-supported prostheses on the oral health, comfort and esthetics of edentulous patients is accompanied by social and psychological bene­fits as well as improved personal confidence.² At the same time, dental implants prevent bone loss, helping to preserve the shape of the patient’s mouth and facial structures.³

Acrylic hybrid dentures take the reten­tive concept of implant overdentures a step further by attaching to the implants through a titanium substructure, offer­ing patients a fixed restoration that maximizes prosthetic stability. High-quality denture teeth and an acrylic base are added to the titanium frame­work to establish form, function and esthetics that are remarkably similar to those provided by natural dentition. The titanium framework is typically fabricated with CAD/CAM technology, and the passive fit needed for a screw-retained restoration is often achieved by validating the accuracy of the final impression with an implant verifica­tion jig.

While both removable and fixed implant-supported prostheses provide wide-ranging benefits for edentu­lous patients, fixed restorations have demonstrated superior impact on oral health, dental function, patient satisfac­tion, and quality of life.^4,5 For this reason, the acrylic hybrid denture has long been considered the optimal choice for full-arch restorations. However, there is a downside: The acrylic base and pros­thetic teeth that form the body of the hybrid denture are prone to wear, chip­ping and fracture.⁶

In many cases, a high degree of maintenance is required over the life of the restoration. This is because fixed full-arch implant restorations are subject to substantial forces associated with masticatory function and parafunctional habits. In the long term, this often causes hybrid dentures to break down, requiring ongoing maintenance and replacement of the prosthetic teeth or acrylic base.

Thanks to improvements in material science and advancements in CAD/CAM technology, full-arch prostheses can now be precisely milled from monolithic zirconia, offering the esthetics and functionality of an acrylic hybrid denture with the added bene­fit of long-term durability. The BruxZir^® Implant Prosthesis is constructed from 100 percent solid zirconia, attaching to the implants through titanium copings. Exhibiting exceptional fracture tough­ness and flexural strength greater than 1,000 MPa, BruxZir Zirconia can withstand the functional stresses that full-arch implant restorations are subject to over time.

Unlike hybrid dentures, the entire body of the BruxZir Implant Prosthesis, including the gingival and tooth areas, is constructed from the same high-strength material. This singular construction avoids the dislodging of prosthetic teeth that can occur with traditional hybrid dentures, minimizing the chances that the restoration will need to be replaced or repaired.

The strength and durability offered by BruxZir Zirconia is complemented by its lifelike esthetics and excellent translucency. The teeth of the prosthe­sis exhibit color very similar to natural dentition, and advanced staining tech­niques are used to establish gingival areas that blend well with the patient’s soft tissue. Additionally, BruxZir Zirconia is biocompatible, hypoallergenic and wear-compatible with the enamel of opposing teeth.⁷

The long-term viability of dental implants has been proven time and again. The BruxZir Implant Prosthesis maximizes the odds that the restoration will last as long as the implants that hold it in place.