A longitudinal study of the clinical performance of resin bonded bridges and splints.

A total of 382 resin bonded bridges and splints were fitted, in 309 patients, in a teaching hospital. The restorations were evaluated after a period ranging from 5 months to 8 years. During the evaluation period 125 restorations (33%) debonded of which 69 (55%) were rebonded. The survival rates of the rebonded restorations at first, second, third or fourth rebond, where necessary, did not differ from the survival rate of the same restorations up to the first debond. Restorations constructed using the Rochette design had a significantly higher debond rate than the other designs. However, since they also exhibited a high rebond rate Rochette restorations continued to perform well over the study period. Splints had a higher debond rate as did restorations placed in patients in the age group 11 to 20 years, restorations involving more than two abutment teeth, and restorations containing more than one tooth pontic.