Longevity and quality of FPDs: a retrospective study of restorations 30, 20, and 10 years after insertion.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the longevity and clinical performance of fixed partial dentures (FPD) 30, 20, and 10 years after insertion.


METHODS
A total of 289 FPDs were inserted in 1966/67, 1976/77, and 1986/87. For patients with FPDs presumably still in function, an evaluation according to the CDA criteria was made.


RESULTS
For 64 of the FPDs (22%), no information was available. Seventy-nine patients with 94 FPDs (33%) were clinically examined, and 44 of the FPDs (15%) were reported to be still in function by the patients' current clinicians. The remaining 87 FPDs (30%) were considered lost to follow-up. These FPDs had either been removed for various reasons--in most cases dental caries, lost retention, or fractured abutment teeth--or the patient could not be contacted. Eighty-four percent of the FPDs inserted in 1966/67 were still in function after 20 years, compared to 64% of those inserted in 1976/77. Apart from an increase in wear and discoloration, the oldest FPDs had excellent marginal fit and anatomic shape.


CONCLUSIONS
The survival rate of 30-year-old FPDs was high; 53% remained in function after 30 years. Based on the CDA criteria, 78% of the restorations were rated satisfactory in all subgroups. The FPDs placed in 1966/67 obtained the highest ratings in color, anatomy, and margin integrity.
Holm
Charlotta
C
Department of Odontology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, Umeå University, Sweden. charlotta.holm@vgregion.se
Tidehag
Per
P
Tillberg
Anders
A
Molin
Margareta
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002140:California; D019230:Dental Audit; D018772:Dental Marginal Adaptation; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D019554:Dental Restoration Wear; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012015:Reference Standards; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012953:Societies, Dental; D013548:Sweden; D013997:Time Factors