title: Failure rates of restorations for single-tooth replacement.
abstract: Failure rates of traditional fixed partial dentures, resin-bonded prostheses, and implant restorations for the replacement of a single missing tooth are compared in this literature review. A lack of documented longevity studies involving conventional fixed partial dentures makes failure rates difficult to determine. Reported failures ranged from only 3% over 23 years to 20% over 3 years. The major causes of loss were caries and endodontically and periodontally related complications. Research concerning resin-bonded fixed partial dentures was more prevalent, but indicated that overall retention of these prostheses may be unpredictable. Failure rates were quite divergent, ranging from 10% over 11 years to 54% over 11 months. Debonding was the usual cause of failure. Clinical reports of single-tooth implant replacements have followed stricter protocols than the other two alternatives. Short-term studies indicated favorable success rates for these restorations, but these must be confirmed by long-term evaluations. Failures ranged from 9% over 3 years to 0% over 6.6 years. These comparisons should be considered in treatment planning a restoration for the replacement of a single missing tooth.
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Priest
mesh_terms: D017268:Dental Prosthesis Retention / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported / Q000191:economics; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016379:Denture, Partial, Fixed, Resin-Bonded / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D014093:Tooth, Artificial / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017211:Treatment Failure