title: Five-year survival of 3-unit fiber-reinforced composite fixed partial dentures in the anterior area.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of 3-unit anterior fixed partial dentures (FPDs) made of fiber-reinforced resin composite (FRC), and to identify design factors influencing the survival rate.
  
  
  METHODS
  52 patients (26 females, 26 males) received 60 indirectly made FRC FPDs, using pre-impregnated unidirectional glass fibers, requiring manual wetting, as framework material. FPDs were surface (n=48) or hybrid (n=12) retained and mainly located in the upper jaw. Hybrid FPDs had a combination of retainers; i.e. crown at one and surface retention at the other abutment tooth. Surface FPDs were either purely adhesively retained (n=29) or with additional mechanical retention (n=19). Follow-up period was at minimum 5 years, with check-ups every 1-2 years. Six operators were involved, in three centers in the Netherlands, Finland and Sweden. Survival rates, including repairable defects of FPDs, and success rates were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Kaplan-Meier survival rate at 5 years was 64% (SE 7%). For the level of success, values were 45% (SE 7%) and the estimated median survival time 58 (SE 10.1) months. For surface FPDs, additional mechanical retention did not improve survival significantly. There was a trend towards better survival of surface FPDs over hybrid FPDs, but differences were not significant. Main failure modes were fracture of the FPD and delamination of veneering composite.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A success rate of 45% and a survival rate of 64% after 5 years was found. Fracture of the framework and delamination are the most prevalent failure modes, especially for surface FPDs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Function and Prosthetic Dentistry, College of Dental Science, University Medical Centre Nijmegen, Netherlands. c.vanheumen@dent.umcn.nl
authors.forename: Céleste C M
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: van Heumen
authors.forename: Jan W V
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: van Dijken
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tanner
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pikaar
authors.forename: Lippo V J
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Lassila
authors.forename: Nico H J
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Creugers
authors.forename: Pekka K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Vallittu
authors.forename: Cees M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Kreulen