CLINICAL-PERFORMANCE OF RESIN-BONDED FIXED PARTIAL DENTURES AND EXTRACORONAL ATTACHMENTS FOR REMOVABLE PROSTHESES

Statement of problem. It is important to evaluate the long-term clinic al performance of resin-bonded fixed partial dentures and extracoronal attachments for removable prostheses. Purpose. A prospective, long-te rm clinical study was conducted to evaluate the success of resin-bonde d fixed partial dentures since 1985 and of resin-bonded extracoronal a ttachments from 1987. Methods. Until 1993, a total of 130 resin-bonded fixed partial dentures had been seated in 101 patients, as well as 12 removable partial dentures (RPDs) with 24 extracoronal retainers in 1 0 patients. The clinical treatment protocol and the laboratory procedu res were standardized. By the end of 1993, it was possible to reexamin e 98 patients with a total of 127 resin-bonded fixed partial dentures and all 10 patients with removable partial dentures. The average time in function for the resin-bonded fixed partial dentures at the time of examination was 3.4 years and 2.3 years for the removable restoration s. Results. During the period of observation, one retainer failed on s ix of the resin-bonded fixed partial dentures, which represents a fail ure rate of 4.7%. Debonding of extracoronal attachments was recorded f or 8.3% of the total number of retainers. Conclusion. The resin-bonded fixed partial denture technique can be considered to be a clinically reliable method of treatment, and permits the expansion of indications beyond a classical three-unit resin-bonded fixed partial denture. Lon g-term clinical success of removable partial dentures with resin-bonde d extracoronal retainers warrants additional clinical studies.