Experiences with resin—bonded bridges and splints—a retrospective study

Abstract

In a joint evaluation of 496 resin-bonded bridges and splints anchored by various retention principles and composites, the initial experiences of seventeen clinicians were compiled. The main indications for treatment were congenital anodontia and loss of teeth due to caries and trauma. After 3 months, 95% of the bridges were still in place without need of reattachment procedure. After 6 months the figure was 91%, after 1 year 81.5% and after 1 1/2 years 73%. Seventy-five per cent of the loosened bridges were attached successfully a second time. The success rate for splints was significantly lower.

Clinical complications in fixed prosthodontics

“…No significant difference was reported in 5 studies 87,96,104,111,115 , whereas 3 studies 79,98,103 reported a higher debonding rate in male patients. No conclusive trend was noted.…”

“…82,91,96,123 No significant differences were reported in 11 studies. 84,87,100,103,104,[106][107][108]111,112,118 Again, no conclusive trend was observed.…”

“…The rate of debonding varied with the length of the clinical study. There were 11 studies with less than 2 years of postplacement evaluation 73,77,78,[81][82][83]85,87,89,97,105 and a mean debonding rate of 10%. Twenty-six studies [74][75][76]79,80,86,[90][91][92][93][94]96,[98][99][100][101]108,109,[111][112][113][114][115][116]119,120 ranged in length from 2 to 5 years with a mean debonding rate of 20%.…”

Resin bonded bridges: techniques for success

“…In vitro research has shown that achieving uniform and ideal etching of enamel surfaces is variable, especially on lingual surfaces of lower posterior teeth where moisture control is difficult. 33 Audenino et al 34 found that the use of rubber dam during cementation reduced the risk of the restoration debonding; however, in contrast, Marinello et al 35 reported the isolation method used had no significant effect on bridge outcome. It is the experience of the authors that, if patients are compliant, adequate moisture control can be achieved in the upper anterior region using the cotton wool rolls and saliva ejectors.…”

“…However, studies have shown that once a bridge has debonded it is more likely to fail again 39 and recementing for a second time is generally ill advised as replacing the bridge has been found to have a higher success rate. 35,39 This is probably because in the majority of failed cases, there is an inherent problem with bridge design which may have been present at initial cementation and/or developed since. With this in mind, the restoration itself should be examined and the patient should be reassessed from iii) Ridge preparation A disadvantage of all bridgework is its inability to replace soft tissue.…”