A 10-year longitudinal study of fixed prosthodontics: clinical characteristics and outcome of single-unit metal-ceramic crowns.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this study was to report on the clinical characteristics and outcome of 688 single-unit metal-ceramic crowns placed in a specialist prosthodontic practice between January 1984 and December 1992.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Clinical and laboratory techniques were standardized and patients were recalled by the author between June and December of 1993. The outcome of all crowns was allocated to one of 6 fields in this assessment period.

RESULTS:

Clinical review examination by the author covered 87% of the crowns. Of these, 52% had been in service for 5 to 10 years and 48% for less than 5 years but more than 1 year; 67% of the crowns were placed on vital teeth and 94% were given a "good prognosis" rating at examination. The repair and failure rates of crowns in the 5 to 10 years in clinical service group were both 3%. Crowns on nonvital teeth in the same grouping had a significantly greater failure rate (5%) than crowns on vital teeth (1%), and anterior teeth had a significantly greater retreatment rate than posterior teeth. Retreatment for all 25 crowns occurred within 66 months after cementation. Tooth fracture accounted for 56% of retreatments, while caries and loss of retention accounted for only 24% of retreatments; 2% of initially vital teeth were endodontically treated during the survey period.

CONCLUSION:

Single-unit metal-ceramic crowns have a high expectancy of exceeding 10 years of clinical service when the described clinical and laboratory protocol is applied.

• Authors: T R Walton
• Journal: The International journal of prosthodontics (Int J Prosthodont) 1999 Nov-Dec Vol. 12 Issue 6 Pg. 519-26 ISSN: 0893-2174 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10815605 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Metal Ceramic Alloys

Topics

• Adult
• Chi-Square Distribution
• Crowns
• Dental Marginal Adaptation
• Dental Prosthesis Design
• Dental Prosthesis Repair (statistics & numerical data)
• Dental Prosthesis Retention
• Dental Restoration Failure
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Metal Ceramic Alloys
• Middle Aged
• Retreatment
• Survival Analysis
• Tooth Preparation, Prosthodontic
• Treatment Outcome