Quality of extensive fixed prosthodontics after five years

Area of Science:

• Restorative Dentistry
• Dental Materials Science
• Clinical Dental Evaluation

Background:

• Extensive restorative dental treatments were performed 5 years prior to this evaluation.
• A cohort of 150 patients was randomly selected from Swedish Dental Insurance System records in Malmo.
• 133 patients responded to a questionnaire, with 109 participating in a clinical assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the long-term clinical success and quality of various dental restorations.
• To evaluate patient-reported outcomes and clinical performance of crowns, pontics, and dentures.
• To identify factors associated with restoration failure or suboptimal outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Clinical evaluation of 891 restorations (498 crowns, 232 pontics, 6 removable partial dentures, 155 metallic restorations) using the CDA quality evaluation.
• Two trained examiners conducted the clinical assessments.
• Data analysis included assessing satisfactory, excellent, and unacceptable ratings, as well as reasons for failure.

Main Results:

• Ninety percent of crowns and pontics, 80% of metallic restorations, and all partial dentures were rated satisfactory.
• High percentages achieved 'excellence' ratings: 23% of crowns, 49% of pontics.
• Unacceptable ratings for crowns were 3.4% (T) and 6.6% (V); for pontics, 9.5% (T) and 0.4% (V).
• Reasons for unacceptable ratings included overcontouring and secondary caries. Marginal periodontitis was linked to unacceptable ratings.
• Only 2% of restorations were lost within the 5-year period.

Conclusions:

• The majority of extensive restorative dental treatments demonstrated high clinical success and patient satisfaction 5 years post-insertion.
• Specific issues like overcontouring and secondary caries require attention in restorative dental procedures.
• Overall, the study indicates favorable long-term outcomes for various types of dental restorations evaluated.