Failures related to crowns and fixed partial dentures fabricated in a Nigerian dental school

The purpose of this investigation was to document the failure rate and length of service of crowns and fixed partial dentures (FPDs) fabricated in a Nigerian dental school. The reasons for failure of the initial restorations and their length of service were also ascertained. Also, the numbers of retainers, pontics, and the types of restoration were recorded. Poor esthetics was the most frequent cause of failure, 66 units (40.5%); followed by fracture, 58 units (35.6%); and dental caries, 25 units (15.4%). These outcomes were contrary to findings previously reported in studies from western countries where dental caries was principally responsible for failures (22.0% to 38.0% of cases). The resin-retained FPDs had the shortest mean years of service at 2.7 years, while the three-unit metal-ceramic FPDs had the greatest longevity at 8.6 years. The overall mean years of service for replaced restorations were 5.6 years. The study found a decrease in the mean years of service as the number of units in the fixed-fixed partial dentures increased. This is in sharp contrast to previous reports where no relationship existed between length of service and the number of units in a FPD.