Clinical and radiographic observations after 6 years on bridge abutment teeth carrying pinledge retainers

A group consisting of 108 bridge recipients (71 female, 37 male) with a total of 114 bridges retained solely (n = 40) by pinledges or retained by a combination (n = 74) of pinledges and complete crowns was examined clinically and radiographically 6 years after completion. The study was to review evidence of any displacement of bridges as well as the incidence of periapical changes and carious lesions of those abutment teeth fitted with pinledges (n = 210). The results showed that bridges retained solely by pinledges had become displaced more frequently than bridges retained by a combination of crowns. The failure rates (%/year) for bridges retained solely by pinledges was 2.5% and for bridges with a combination of retainers 0.25%. Three teeth (1.4%) experienced pulp exposure during the preparatory work and 6 teeth (2.8%) had been or had to be rootfilled after 6 years. Carious lesions had developed in 6 abutments (1.9%).