The survival rate of resin-bonded bridges (RBBs) can be compromised by a high debonding rate, according to a recent literature review in the Journal of the American Dental Association (June 2009, Vol. 140:6, pp. 706-707).
Researchers conducted a hand and Medline search of literature from January 1965 through January 2007 and identified 17 studies that met their inclusion criteria.
A meta-analysis of these studies estimated a resin-bonded bridge survival rate of 87.7% after five years.
The researchers also found the following:
- The most frequent complication was debonding, which occurred in around 19% of resin-bonded bridges during a five-year observation period.
- The annual debonding rate for resin-bonded bridges placed on posterior teeth tended to be higher than that for those placed on anterior teeth.
- Biological complications, such as caries in abutment teeth and resin-bonded bridges lost owing to periodontitis, occurred in 1.5 % of abutments and 2.1 % of resin-bonded bridges.
"Dentists may need to schedule a substantial amount of extra chair time after the placement of RBBs," the authors concluded. "Studies with a follow-up of 10 years or more are needed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of RBBs."
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