A Retrospective Study of the Clinical Performance of Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Resin-Bonded Fixed Partial Dentures

Purpose: This study investigated the clinical performance of resin-bonded fixed partial dentures (RBFPDs) using minimally invasive, nonretentive abutment tooth preparation. Materials and Methods: Forty-four patients received 56 porcelain-fused-to-metal RBFPDs (52 three-unit RBFPDs, 4 four-unit RBFPDs). All RBFPDs were inserted between 1995 and 2010 according to a standardized protocol. Thirty-eight RBFPDs replaced anterior teeth in the maxilla, 18 RBFPDs replaced anterior teeth in the mandible, and 3 RBFPDs replaced premolars (1 maxillary, 2 mandibular). At annual recall appointments, RBFPDs were carefully inspected for technical and biologic failures or complications (eg, debonding, abutment tooth caries). Results: The mean observation period was 76 months, with a minimum of 4 months and a maximum of 198 months. Five RBFPDs debonded. Further complications comprised one instance of porcelain chipping and one caries lesion underneath a loose retainer. One patient was dissatisfied with the esthetic appearance of her RBFPD. The cumulative survival rate with the event "debonding" dropped to 90% after 23 months and then remained constant. Survival rate with the event "any restoration complication" dropped to 84% after 77 months and then remained constant. Conclusions: With regard to the high patient satisfaction and relatively low incidence of failures and complications, the clinical performance of nonretentive RBFPDs can be considered satisfactory. Hence, within the limitations of this study, the data justify nonretentive RBFPDs as long-term provisional restorations.