Longevity of two-unit cantilevered resin-bonded fixed partial dentures

To examine the clinical performance of two-unit cantilevered resin-bonded fixed partial dentures that were inserted at The Prince Philip Dental Hospital, Hong Kong by students and staff between 1992 and 1998.

A search of the Hospital computer records system revealed a list of 130 patients who had received two-unit cantilevered resin-bonded fixed partial dentures (RBFPD) placed more than 24 months previous to the review date. For each patient clinically examined, the following data were recorded: gender, age, operator, cementation date, endodontic treatment if performed, bone support, tooth mobility, the presence of shimstock contacts on abutment or pontic in intercuspal position, the presence of interproximal contacts adjacent to the prosthesis assessed by dental floss. Date of any debonds with subsequent treatment was recorded and the patient was asked qualitative questions about their prosthesis.

82 prostheses were placed in 69 patients and were found to have a mean service life of 36.7 +/- 15.4 months and a range of 4.3 months to 95.4 months. In total, four prostheses were reported to have debonded resulting in a clinical retention rate of 95.1%. No rotation, drifting or tipping was observed for any of the prostheses during the time of this study. Overall patients' satisfaction with RBFPDs was good with an average assessment rating of 8.2.