This study evaluated the influence of distal implants angulation and framework material in the stress concentration of an All-on-4 full-arch prosthesis. A full-arch implant-supported prosthesis 3D model was created with different distal implant angulations and cantilever arms (30° with 10-mm cantilever; 45° with 10-mm cantilever and 45° with 6-mm cantilever) and framework materials (Cobalt–chrome [CoCr alloy], Yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal [Y-TZP] and polyetheretherketone [PEEK]). Each solid was imported to computer-aided engineering software, and tetrahedral elements formed the mesh. Material properties were assigned to each solid with isotropic and homogeneous behavior. The contacts were considered bonded. A vertical load of 200 N was applied in the distal region of the cantilever arm, and stress was evaluated in Von Misses (σVM) for prosthesis components and the Maximum (σMAX) and Minimum (σMIN) Principal Stresses for the bone. Distal implants angled in 45° with a 10-mm cantilever arm showed the highest stress concentration for all structures with higher stress magnitudes when the PEEK framework was considered. However, distal implants angled in 45° with a 6-mm cantilever arm showed promising mechanical responses with the lowest stress peaks. For the All-on-4 concept, a 45° distal implants angulation is only beneficial if it is possible to reduce the cantilever’s length; otherwise, the use of 30° should be considered. Comparing with PEEK, the YTZP and CoCr concentrated stress in the framework structure, reducing the stress in the prosthetic screw.

The aim of this study was to evaluate stress distribution in an occlusal veneer according to the restorative material, restoration thickness, and cement layer thickness. A tridimensional model of a human maxillary first molar with an occlusal veneer preparation was constructed using a modeling software of finite element analysis. The model was replicated 9 times to evaluate the factors: restoration thickness (0.6, 1.2, and 1.8 mm) and cement layer thickness (100, 200, and 300 μm). Then, each model received different restorative materials (High Translucency Zirconia – [YZHT], Lithium Disilicate – [LD], Zirconia Reinforced Lithium Silicate – [ZLS], Feldspathic – [F], and Hybrid Ceramic – [HC]), totaling forty-five groups. An axial load (600 N) was applied on the occlusal face for static structural analysis. Solids were considered isotropic, homogeneous, and linearly elastic. Contacts were considered perfectly bonded. Fixation occurred in the dental root and a mechanical static structural analysis was performed. Descriptive statistical analysis and one-way ANOVA (α =10%) were performed for tensile stress peak values in the restoration and cement layer. The difference between groups was compared using the Tukey's test with 10% significance to match the percentage of the mesh convergence test. According to the results, the cement layer thickness did not influence stress distribution in the restoration (p ≥ 0.10). The thicker the restoration, the higher the tensile stress concentration in the restoration. The graphs showed higher stress concentration in the YZHT, followed by LD, F, ZLS, and HC. Also, the restorative material influenced stress concentration on the cement layer, which decreased according to the sequence HC>YZHT>ZLS>LD>F. HC stood out for causing the least stress concentration in the restoration. Cement layer thickness did not interfere in the mechanical performance of the restorations.

To evaluate the effect of surface finishing and printing layer orientation on the surface roughness and flexural strength of three-dimensionally (3D) printed 3 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia manufactured by stereolithography (SLA). Ninety bar-shaped zirconia specimens (1 mm x 1 mm x 12 mm) were 3D-printed via SLA. After debinding and sintering, they were randomly divided according to the printing layer orientation: parallel (PR) or perpendicular (PD) to the tensile surface for bending test. Each group was submitted to a surface finishing protocol (n=15/group): unpolished (subgroup 0), with polished tensile surface (subgroup 1), and with polished lateral and tensile surfaces (subgroup 3). Roughness of tensile surface was determined using a contact sensor and surface morphology was analyzed under Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Flexural strength, apparent elastic modulus, and Weibull parameters were assessed using a 3-point bending test. Fractured specimens were examined to identify failure origins. Finite element analysis was used to evaluate tensile stress peaks and failure risk. PR orientation exhibited higher strength, higher apparent elastic modulus, higher maximum principal stress peaks, and lower failure risk. For both layer orientations, groups with polished lateral and tensile sides (PR3 and PD3) were the strongest. SEM revealed that polishing led to changes in defect type, location, and size. SLA zirconia shows different mechanical properties according to surface roughness and defects. Orienting the printed layers parallel to the tensile side improves its mechanical performance. Polishing can significantly improve its flexural strength. It is necessary to reduce the final product's surface roughness and large pores for its best performance.