Two-unit cantilevered resin-bonded fixed partial dentures--a retrospective, preliminary clinical investigation.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the clinical retention and abutment movement of 2-unit cantilevered resin-bonded fixed partial dentures (FPD) that were inserted at Prince Philip Dental Hospital in Hong Kong.


METHODS
Of 45 patients who were identified from a hospital computer search after receiving a 2-unit cantilevered resin-bonded FPD, 31 were clinically examined (33 FPDs). For each patient the following data were recorded: gender, age, cementation date, endodontic treatment if performed, bone support, tooth mobility, and FPD tipping or drifting. Data about any debonds with subsequent treatment and patient satisfaction on a 10-point scale were also recorded.


RESULTS
The mean service life for the 33 prostheses was 30 +/- 18 months, with a range of 72 days to 67 months. One prosthesis debonded, resulting in a clinical retention rate of 97%. No rotation, drifting, or tipping was observed for any of the prostheses during the short period of this study.


CONCLUSIONS
Two-unit cantilevered resin-bonded FPDs are successful in the short term, but further research is required to determine if they offer a viable alternative to fixed-fixed resin-bonded FPD designs.
Botelho
M G
MG
Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Prince Philip Dental Hospital, Hong Kong, China. botelho@hkusua.hku.hk
Nor
L C
LC
Kwong
H W
HW
Kuen
B S
BS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000473:pathology; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000145:classification; D002484:Cementation; D000044:Dental Abutments; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003779:Denture Design; D003780:Denture Repair; D003781:Denture Retention; D016379:Denture, Partial, Fixed, Resin-Bonded; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012390:Root Canal Therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D014086:Tooth Mobility / Q000145:classification