Two-year clinical trial of resin-bonded fixed partial dentures incorporating novel attachments.

PURPOSE: This controlled clinical trial evaluated the clinical performance of a new resin-bonded fixed partial denture (FPD) system and compared the clinical performance with that of conventional FPDs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Resin-bonded FPDs replaced 12 single anterior and 9 premolar missing teeth in 20 healthy patients. Conventional three-unit FPDs (metal-ceramic crowns or complete cast-metal crowns) replaced 10 single anterior and 10 single posterior missing teeth in 20 age-matched controls. Retention, marginal integrity, periodontal condition of the FPDs, esthetics and hygiene of pontics, and secondary caries were clinically evaluated immediately, 1 month, and 2 years after cementation.

RESULTS: After 2 years, no failure was observed in the resin-bonded or conventional FPDs because of debonding from the abutment teeth. All clinical results evaluated for both groups were satisfactory or acceptable. No secondary caries was found in either group. Fisher's exact test and/or continuity-corrected chi-square test showed no significant differences of satisfactory rates between the resin-bonded and conventional FPDs for all variables evaluated.

CONCLUSION: Short-term clinical results indicate that resin-bonded FPDs may be used as fixed prostheses to replace lost single anterior or premolar teeth with minimum preparation of abutment teeth. This restoration did not adversely influence pulpal or periodontal health. However, a 2-year clinical trial for a new FPD can only provide preliminary data, and longer term observations are clearly necessary.