A 5-Year Randomized Clinical Trial on 3-Unit Fiber-Reinforced vs 3- or 2-Unit Metal-Ceramic Resin-Bonded Fixed Dental Prostheses

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PURPOSE: To compare in a randomized controlled trial the 5-year clinical outcomes of (1) 3-unit fiber-reinforced resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses (RBFDPs) to 3-unit metal-ceramic RBFDPs; and (2) 3-unit fiber-reinforced RBFDPs to 2-unit cantilevered metal-ceramic RBFDPs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A consecutive sample of 50 young adult patients with tooth agenesis or trauma in the anterior region was included. The recruitment period was from 2005 to 2009, during which a total of 62 RBFDPs were inserted. In group A, 27 participants were randomly treated with 18 metal-ceramic 3-unit RBFDPs and 15 3-unit fiber-reinforced RBFDPs. In group B, 23 participants were randomly treated with 16 metal-ceramic 2-unit RBFDPs and 13 3-unit fiber-reinforced RBFDPs. All patients were followed up at baseline registration and at 1, 3, and 5 years. The primary outcome parameter was survival rate of the RBFDPs, and the secondary outcome parameters were periodontal and technical/esthetic outcomes and patient-reported evaluation of the RBFDPs.

RESULTS: Seven patients dropped out of the study during the 5-year observation period. In group A, the fiber-reinforced RBFDPs had a cumulative survival rate of 23% after 5 years, which was significantly less than for the 3-unit metal-ceramic RBFDPs. In group B, the cumulative 5-year survival rate was 36% for the fiber-reinforced RBFDPs and 91% for the 2-unit cantilevered metal-ceramic RBFDPs.

CONCLUSION: The 3- and 2-unit metal-ceramic RBFDPs had a significantly higher 5-year survival rate than the 3-unit fiber-reinforced RBFDPs. The accessibility for oral hygiene practice was better with 2-unit compared to 3-unit RBFDPs, and the degree of gingivitis was lower. The esthetic outcome was better for the RBFDPs with ceramic pontics than the composite ones.

Original languageEnglish
JournalThe International journal of prosthodontics
Volume34
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)703-711
ISSN0893-2174
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

ID: 259616068