[Clinical comparison of adhesive systems for bonded bridges]

54 three-unit maxillary anterior bridges with retention meshes were bonded under standardized and, as far as possible, identical clinical conditions using different adhesive systems: Super Bond, a 4-Meta-PMMA resin, and ABC (Adhesive Bridge Cement) and Microfill pontic, both composite adhesives. The restorations were re-evaluated after 5.3 years, at most. Both types of adhesive systems could be tested by contralateral comparison of 10 pairs of bonded bridges. After a mean period of 2.9 years of wear primary failures were observed in 8 out of 54 bonded bridges (approximately 15%). Under the conditions given in this study the failure rates of the composite adhesives and the 4-Meta-PMMA resin were identical after approximately 3 years.