Metal ceramic Fixed Partial Dentures (FPD) are suitable to increase fracture resistance presenting higher clinical longevity. This type of prosthesis is mainly used when a great number of teeth replacements are needed. The FPD under analysis is defined by a metallic infrastructure (titanium) and by a ceramic coating. The advantages of hybrid FPD lie in their predictable biomechanical behaviour, versa-tility and cost. The main disadvantage is related to aesthetic functionality. Karlsson (1986), Lindquist & Karlsson (1998) and Palmqvist (1993) quantified the life time for hybrid FPD, referring 10 years in service to be a survival of break point. The connector design is of great importance to improve smooth stress pattern in the region between teeth. This region is also restrained by biological and aesthetic reasons. Ceramic material presents elevated failure rate in FPD due to brittleness. This work intends to predict fracture resistance to different loading conditions, using a smeared fracture approach (continuous dam- age mechanics). Results agree well with experimental evidence.
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