title: Prosthetic rehabilitation interventions in adolescents with fixed bridges: a 5-year observational study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this work is to verify the rate of success and failure causes of 32 FRC-FPD (Fiber Reinforced Composite Fixed Partial Dentures) placed on 30 adolescents with dental agenesis, over a follow-up period of 5 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our study sample involved 30 subjects (10 males and 20 females) aged between 13 and 17 years who have been rehabilitated with FRC Maryland bridges to treat agenesis of maxillary incisors (for a total of 32 FRC-FPD). The observational study spans 5 years following the general rules coded by the modified United States Public Health Service (USPHS) system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 5 years of follow-up of a sample of 32 FRC-FPD bridges, 30 were still in effective use (so 2 were excluded). All the bridges were FRC, replacing a missing lateral incisor, and had a double wing retention. All requirements of stability, peripheral seal and morphology preservation were well satisfied. The two failed bridges had a structural failure after about two years from placement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In adolescents our orientation about the edentulous rehabilitation is towards solutions that, when possible, provide an acceptable aesthetic and functional restoration with fixed partial dentures, or removable dentures in cases of severe oligodontia. Obviously, techniques involving the placement of dental implants before the end of skeletal growth were never adopted. In our study FRC bridges showed a great functional performance and good compliance from young patients. Considering the positive cost-benefit ratio and the reversibility of the treatment in case of failure, such interventions can be considered a highly reliable early rehabilitation. Further studies are necessary to verify the maintenance requirements tested for longer periods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Cagliari.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Spinas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aresu
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Canargiu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000848:Anodontia / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002484:Cementation / Q000379:methods; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D018772:Dental Marginal Adaptation; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003779:Denture Design; D003781:Denture Retention / Q000295:instrumentation; D016379:Denture, Partial, Fixed, Resin-Bonded; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000002:abnormalities; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019279:Resin Cements / Q000737:chemistry; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003188:Composite Resins; D003764:Dental Materials; D008689:Methacrylates; C426984:One Coat Bond; D019279:Resin Cements; C009753:fiberglass