A multicentred clinical st resin-bonded bridges: the '

This study was designed to investigate and identify factors relevant to the success and failure of posterior resinbonded bridges (PRBBs) related to the patient. technique, operator and bridge design. It was a long-term controlled clinical trial and formed part of a multicentred study on PRBBs. Data are presented 2.5 years from the start ofthe study. Following a strict protocol for case selection, 54 posterior, resin-bonded. fixed-fixed. three unit bridges were placed in 45 patients. Twenty-four patients with 27 PRBBs attended for 2.5-year recall. Treatment variables were limited to one of two operators and either a conventional tooth preparation or a more extensive modified preparation was performed. The allocation of treatment modalities was performed using a computer program to balance patient variables such as age, gender, location ofbridge, restoration of abutment teeth. All bridges were produced in one laboratory, treated to produce a silicate-coating bond and placed using Microfill Pontic C (Kulzer, Wehrheim. Germany). Data relating to the patients. the open spaces. bridge preparation, bridge placement and subsequent annual evaluation were recorded. The survival ofPRBBs in the maxilla was 77% and in the mandible 47%.