Metal-Ceramic Resin-Bonded Fixed Partial Dentures After a Mean Observation Time of 7.5 Years

To generate data on the long-term survival of metal-ceramic resin-bonded fixed partial dentures (RBFPDs).

A total of 89 patients received 94 RBFPDs, 5 of whom (women n = 1; men n = 4) received 2 RBFPDs each. All RBFPDs were fabricated as two-retainer end-abutment metal-ceramic restorations. Clinical follow-ups were performed 6 months after cementation and then annually thereafter. The mean observation time was 7.5 years. Cox regression was performed to test the effects of the variables: gender, location, arch, design, use of rubber dam, and adhesive luting system. Survival and success were calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves. As a secondary objective, patient and dentist satisfaction with the esthetics and function of the RBFPDs was evaluated. The significance level was set at α = .05 for all calculations.

Estimated Kaplan-Meier failure-free survival was 97.5% (standard error [SE] 1.7) after 5 years and 83.3% (SE 5.3) after 10 years. Calculated intervention-free survival (success) was 90.1% (SE 3.4) after 5 years and 65.5% (SE 6.7) after 10 years. Debonding-free survival was 92.6% (SE 2.9) after 5 years and 80.6% (SE 5.4) after 10 years. Cox regression revealed that none of the four tested variables had a significant effect on the incidence of complications in RBFPDs. Patient and dentist satisfaction with RBFPD esthetics and function was consistently high throughout the observation period.

Within the limitations of an observational study, RBFPDs achieved clinically successful outcomes over a mean observational period of 7.5 years.