A 5-year retrospective study of fixed partial dentures: success, survival, and incidence of biological and technical complications.

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the probability of success and survival as well as the incidences of specific biological and technical complications associated with fixed partial dentures (FPDs). All patients fitted with FPDs at the National Dental Center, Singapore, in the previous 5-8 years were identified through electronic records and contacted to return for a clinical examination by a prosthodontist. Eighty-five patients with a total of 99 FPDs were examined, and a satisfaction survey was also conducted. Fifty-eight (58.6%) of the FPDs were successes requiring no intervention. Thirty-two (32.3%) remained in situ but suffered some complications, while nine (9.1%) were deemed failures as they had to be removed. Of the 32 complications, one (1%) showed increased mobility due to progressive periodontitis, four (4%) had lost vitality, two (2%) required recementation, two (2%) showed recurrent caries, and 23 (23.2%) exhibited partial ceramic fractures. The 5-year probability of success was between 62.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 52.7, 71.2) and 68% (95% CI: 59.5, 76.0), while the 5-year probability of survival was 92.3% (95% CI: 86.5, 96.6). The incidence of caries was 5.8% (95% CI: 2.5, 11.8), and the 5-year risk for loss of abutment vitality was 4.4% (95% CI: 1.5, 9.5). FPDs with non-vital abutments and those of a longer span (5 or more units) were more likely to suffer a complication or failure.