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Longevity and quality of FPDs: a retrospective study of restorations 30, 20, and 10 years after insertion
Charlotta Holm1, Per Tidehag, Anders Tillberg
1Department of Odontology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, Umeå University, Sweden. charlotta.holm@vgregion.se
Purpose:
The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the longevity and clinical performance of fixed partial dentures (FPD) 30, 20, and 10 years after insertion.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 289 FPDs were inserted in 1966/67, 1976/77, and 1986/87. For patients with FPDs presumably still in function, an evaluation according to the CDA criteria was made.
Results:
For 64 of the FPDs (22%), no information was available. Seventy-nine patients with 94 FPDs (33%) were clinically examined, and 44 of the FPDs (15%) were reported to be still in function by the patients' current clinicians. The remaining 87 FPDs (30%) were considered lost to follow-up. These FPDs had either been removed for various reasons--in most cases dental caries, lost retention, or fractured abutment teeth--or the patient could not be contacted. Eighty-four percent of the FPDs inserted in 1966/67 were still in function after 20 years, compared to 64% of those inserted in 1976/77. Apart from an increase in wear and discoloration, the oldest FPDs had excellent marginal fit and anatomic shape.
Conclusion:
The survival rate of 30-year-old FPDs was high; 53% remained in function after 30 years. Based on the CDA criteria, 78% of the restorations were rated satisfactory in all subgroups. The FPDs placed in 1966/67 obtained the highest ratings in color, anatomy, and margin integrity.
