Resin-bonded, glass fiber-reinforced composite fixed partial dentures: a clinical study.
BACKGROUND
Resin-bonded, glass fiber-reinforced composite fixed partial dentures (FPDs) have been under development for some time. There is a lack of data regarding the clinical usefulness of such prostheses.


OBJECTIVE
The clinical performance of 31 resin-bonded, glass fiber-reinforced composite fixed partial dentures was evaluated in a preliminary study.


METHODS
The prostheses were made to replace 1 to 3 missing maxillary or mandibular teeth in each of 31 patients. The prostheses had a framework made of continuous unidirectional E-glass fibers with multiphase polymer matrix and light-polymerized particulate composite resin veneering. The prostheses were examined after 6-month periods for up to 24 months (mean follow-up time was 14 months). Partial or total debonding of the prostheses or the framework fracture was considered a treatment failure.


RESULTS
Two prostheses debonded during the follow-up period; 1 debonding was related to improper occlusal adjustment and the other to unknown reasons. Kaplan-Meier survival probability at 24 months was 93%. No framework fractures were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this preliminary study suggest that the resin-bonded, glass fiber-reinforced FPDs may be an alternative for resin-bonded FPDs with a cast metal framework.
Vallittu
P K
PK
Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. Pekka.Vallittu@utu.fi
Sevelius
C
C
D002648:Child; D003779:Denture Design; D016379:Denture, Partial, Fixed, Resin-Bonded; D005260:Female; D005898:Glass; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016019:Survival Analysis
C009753:fiberglass