A 10-YEAR FOLLOW-UP-STUDY OF FIXED METAL-CERAMIC PROSTHODONTICS

The aim of this retrospective study was to record patients' satisfacti on with fixed metal ceramic bridges and crowns made by dental students and to evaluate the functioning and condition of the bridges and crow ns clinically and radiologically. Out of the 60 patients treated at th e Institute of Dentistry during 1984-85, 30 patients attended the foll ow-up examination (16 women, mean age 39, range 23-62 years and 14 men , mean age 44, range 26-65 years). The anamnestic data and data regard ing treatment procedures were collected from the patient files. The pa tients had been supplied with 41 crowns and 24 bridges (mean 3.9 units , range 3-6 units), which included 61 abutments and 33 pontics or cant ilever extensions (abutment/pontic ratio 1.85 : 1). Marginal fidelity was unsatisfactory in 13% of the crowns and bridges and gingival bleed ing and pockets of 4-6mm were noted in 27% and 12% of cases, respectiv ely. None of the subjects had caries in the abutments.