Fracture resistance of 3-unit monolithic ZrO 2 ceramics FPDs with different preparation designs of the distal abutment - an in-vitro study.

Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that both tested preparation designs show similar results in terms of the load required to fracture the test specimens. Furthermore, it is confirmed that the distal connector is the weakest area of an all-ceramic 3-unit FPD in the posterior area.