Clinical performance of resin-bonded fixed partial dentures

Resin-bonded fixed partial dentures (RBFPDs) initially recorded poor survival rates because of indefinite tooth preparations and arbitrary selection of composite resin cements. In this study, 46 RBFPDs were inserted for a longitudinal study up to 45 months. The influence of location--anterior/posterior, or maxilla/mandible--and the inclusion of pontics in occlusal excursions on the survival rates was investigated. Periodontal parameters were recorded from abutments and controls (teeth). Eight RBFPDs lost retention and two RBFPDs failed because of porcelain fractures. The anterior to posterior location and the maxillary or mandibular arch had significant influence on the survival rates. Gingival scores of abutments and controls differed significantly, but statistically significant differences were not recorded for plaque scores.