No abstract

The clinical performance of 832 resin-retained bridges and splints provided in the adult fixed prosthodontic clinic of a post-graduate teaching hospital was reviewed. Recall data was available for 58.4% of cases and the median survival was 7 years and 10 months. Analysis of clinical variables influencing survival revealed that the design and retainer coverage were significant factors. The experience of the operator carrying out treatment also had a pronounced effect which was not readily explained in terms of the distribution of other significant factors. Resin-retained restorations made with minimal tooth preparation are shown to be capable of extended clinical service and their failure rarely resulted in adverse consequences for the patient. Patient satisfaction with their treatment was reportedly high.

Carbon fibre reinforced carbon (CFRC) in the form of a prefabricated post has recently been developed and is theoretically acceptable for consideration in an endodontic post-retained crown system. This study compared four different types of postcore system cemented into 40 extracted anterior human teeth. The test groups consisted of CFRC posts cemented with a composite resin luting agent, and used with either a cast gold alloy core (Group B) or a composite resin core (Group C). Two existing post-core techniques were used as controls for comparison with the CFRC groups. One control was a prefabricated wrought precious alloy post having a cast gold alloy core, and cemented with zinc phosphate cement (Group A). The other was a prefabricated stainless steel post with a composite resin core, and cemented with a composite resin luting agent (Group D). All specimens were restored with a gold alloy crown and tested to failure with an obliquely applied compressive load at 130 degrees in an Instron using a cross-head speed of 5 cm min-1. The results showed that post-retained crowns using a prefabricated CFRC post exhibited properties comparable with, and in some cases better than, those of existing prefabricated posts. The mode of failure of specimens restored with a CFRC post was more favourable to the remaining tooth tissue than was that of specimens restored with a metallic post.