An analysis of clinical studies on resin-bonded bridges.

Many clinical data on resin-bonded bridges (RBBs) have been published in the last ten years. The survival rates vary widely, and the conclusions are sometimes conflicting. A method of combining the results of different studies in order to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of therapeutic concepts is meta-analysis. The aims of the meta-analysis in this study were: (1) to assess an "overall" survival ratio for RBBs and (2) to explore relationships between potential success factors and reported survival times. About 60 publications with clinical data on RBBs were reviewed. Following a number of inclusion criteria (information adequate to calculate or assess survival rates, as well as adequate information about the patients, the designs, and types of RBBs), 16 different samples were used for this meta-analysis. A weighted multiple-regression analysis revealed no significant effects of "type of retention" and "location" on the survival percentages. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to assess overall survival in a secondary analysis with the data from all 16 samples (n = 1598). The overall survivals were: one year, 89 +/- 1%; two years, 84 +/- 1%; three years, 80 +/- 1%; and four years, 74 +/- 2%.