Longevity of fixed metal ceramic bridge prostheses: a clinical follow-up study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors that influence the longevity of fixed metal ceramic bridge prostheses, including the length of the bridge as well as the basic circumstances of the mouth. A total of 132 patients attended the clinical examination. There were 84 women (64%) and 48 men (36%). Patients had altogether 195 bridges, which included 157 short bridges (3-5 units) and 47 long bridges (6 and more units). The overall clinical examination was performed including the intra-oral radiographs. The salivary findings of the patient at baseline [flow rate of stimulated saliva, scores of mutans streptococci (SM) and lactobacilli (LB)] were registered from the patient files. In addition, the patient files were examined to receive further information concerning the complications treated in our clinic. On the basis of severe and extensive complications, the overall survival after 10 years was 84%. Long bridges had lower survival than the shorter ones (P=0.04). A low secretion of saliva recorded before the prosthetic treatment decreased the survival of the bridges (P=0.12) and the survival of the bridges was likewise reduced by high scores of LB and SM (P=0.07). Age of the patient did not influence the survival. It was shown here that long bridges (5 and more units) have a lower survival than the short bridges. It can be concluded, however, that the low secretion of saliva and the high scores of lactobacilli and SM have a remarkable influence on complications and these facts should therefore be taken into careful consideration in choosing the patients for the prosthetic treatment with fixed prosthodontics.