Longitudinal Observation for the Resin-Bonded Bridges

Abstract

The objective of the study was to perform a long-term clinical evaluation of resin-bonded bridges. Tooth preparation was restricted to the enamel in both anterior and posterior teeth. The study evaluated 58 bridges made for 44 patients between 1985 and 2003 in the Prosthodontics Department of the Medical School in Poznan, Poland, and in a private practice. All of the bridges were prepared by one dentist, the author of this article. The success rate of these resin-bonded bridges was determined on the basis of the following factors: adequate function, integrity of the bonds, absence of marginal caries, and high degree of patient satisfaction. The average success rate over the 18 years of observation was 82.8%, whereas the mean average time of the retention of the resin bonded bridges in the oral cavity was 6 years 8 months. Ten of the 58 bridges (116 abutments) were considered failures because of debonding or the need to carry out endodontic treatment due to caries. The average duration of the resin-bonded prostheses in the oral cavity was 5 years, 8 months. Resin-bonded bridges on anterior maxillary teeth do not disturb the occlusion or articulation, which widens their use to patients with a deep over-bite.