FIBER-REINFORCED COMPOSITE FIXED DENTAL PROSTHESES IN THE ANTERIOR AREA: A 4.5-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

Statement of problem. Currently, fiber-reinforced fixed dental prostheses (FRC FDPs) are a reliable treatment option for the restoration of single missing teeth in the anterior area. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the survival of direct and semidirect fabricated FRC FDPs in the anterior area and to rate the quality of the outcome. Material and methods. Twenty-four participants (12 men, 12 women) were included in the investigation. The prostheses were made of preimpregnated, unidirectional fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) (everStick, GC) by using a direct (n=18) or semidirect (n=6) technique. Eleven FRC FDPs had been placed in the maxilla and 13 had been placed in the mandible. Follow-up intervals were recorded, and the prostheses were classified as success (successful), survival (unfavorable event but still in vivo), or failure (lost). Quality was rated according to the modified United States Public Health Services (USPHS) or Ryge criteria. Results. The FRC FDPs evaluated in this study showed an overall survival rate (success) of 72.6% and a functional survival rate (success survival) of 85.6% (median follow-up 54 months). According to the USPHS/Ryge criteria, most of the restorations displayed excellent or good quality. Survival analysis was performed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Conclusions. The FRC FDPs evaluated in this study showed promising survival rates and good quality after a median follow-up period of 4.5 years (quartile range 3.5 to 6.3 years), thus indicating that FRC FDPs are reliable treatment options for the restoration of single missing teeth in the anterior area. The use of preimpregnated FRC materials with higher fiber content might improve the clinical fabrication of FRC FDPs but does not influence their long-term clinical survival. (J Prosthet Dent 2014;112:143-149)