Abstract

PURPOSE:

The aim of this prospective clinical evaluation was to show the long-term clinical behavior of resin-bonded fixed partial dentures (RBFPD) with a retentive, minimally invasive preparation design.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Since 1985, 232 RBFPDs with a retentive preparation design were placed under controlled clinical conditions. In 2005 and 2006, 84 fixed partial dentures could be re-evaluated. Using Kaplan-Meier analysis, the survival rate was determined. The probability of survival was calculated with several risk factors: location (anterior/posterior, maxilla/mandible), metal alloy of the framework (titanium/CoCr), number of pontics, and number of supporting teeth.

RESULTS:

A total of 12 failures was observed and resulted in a survival rate of 77% after 10 years. However, only 4 catastrophic failures occurred. In such cases, the restoration was lost, or could not be re-bonded or repaired (survival rate 88% after 10 years). RBFPDs made of a titanium alloy exhibited a statistically significantly higher survival rate than RBFPDs made of a nonprecious CoCr alloy in terms of all failures. Only slight but not statistically significant differences between the covariates maxilla, mandible, anterior/posterior region, number of pontics, and number of abutment teeth were observed.

CONCLUSION:

Within the limitations of this study, RBFPDs seem to be a reliable restorative alternative to conventional short-span fixed dental prostheses.