Common post-fitting complications in tooth-supported fixed-fixed design metal-ceramic fixed dental prostheses

Objectives: To report the frequency of common complications and their levels in metal-ceramic fixed dental prostheses (MC-FDPs). Methods: A Descriptive Cross-sectional study was conducted at the Prosthodontics Department, Khyber College of Dentistry Peshawar from January 2011 to October 2012. Using a structured proforma, data from 139 subjects fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the study and reporting complications in their MC- FDPs were collected using the method of interview, clinical a radiographic examination. Results: Of 139 subjects (Mean age = 34 +/- 6.4 Years), 81(58.3%) were males and 58 (41.7%) were females with a male to female ratio of 1.4:1. De-cementation was the most common complication (41.7%). Least common complication was secondary caries (6.5%). Level-1 complications were more prevalent (77.7%) than level-2 complications (22.3%). In 91.4% cases, complications occurred before the FDP completed their fifth-years' service life with 25.2% of these occurring within the first years' service life. Conclusion: Irrespective of the type of complications, level-1 complications were more common with decementation being the most common complication. One-quarter of all the complications occurred within the first-year service life of the FDPs highlighting concern over the quality of the provided MC-FDPs.