Failure of dental bridges: III--Effect of some technical factors

In this investigation 156 dental bridges, inserted for 132 individuals, were evaluated. Three-unit bridges accounted for the majority of fixed appliances surveyed. The results revealed that the mean longevity of the failed bridges was 6.1 years. There was no relation between the number of units in a bridge and its duration of service. The results also revealed that metal-ceramic retainers were the most commonly used in the series but exhibited the shortest duration of successful service. Of 325 abutments, 11.4% were endodontically treated and 10.8% of those were associated with periapical lesions. Periapical lesions were associated with 4.2% of the abutments presumed vital prior to the study.