Comparison of partial and full crowns as retainers in the same bridge

The purpose of this study was to assess longitudinally the success of partial and full crown abutment pairs in the same bridges. Fifty patients with a mean age of 45 years (range 22-70 years) were examined during spring 1981 (1-5 year follow-up), 33 of whom were examined a second time during spring 1990 (10-15 year follow-up). The status of the partial crowns, full crowns, and their abutment teeth was assessed using standardized questions, and clinical and radiographic examinations. At the first follow-up examination, all partial and full crowns, and consequently all bridges, were still in use. Before the second follow-up examination one of the full crown abutments had become badly decayed, and the bridge, including the partial crown, had been removed. The failure rate was 0.2% per year for the full crown as a unit, and consequently 0.2% per year for the bridge as a unit.