Design principles for cantilevered resin-bonded fixed partial dentures

Recent clinical studies show 2-unit cantilevered resin-bonded fixed partial dentures to be as retentive or more retentive than their fixed-fixed counterparts. The fact that the 2-unit prosthesis is successful adds value to the clinical use of resin-bonded fixed partial dentures because the single-abutment prosthesis is even simpler and more cost effective than fixed-fixed designs. However, there is no evidence-based information relating to design principles for abutment preparation and framework design for the single-abutment, single-retainer prosthesis. The aim of this report is to suggest principles of design for the 2-unit cantilevered fixed partial denture, based on information gained from studies on fixed-fixed designs.