Clinical Survival of Indirect, Posterior Fiber-Reinforced Composite Fixed Dental Prosthesis: Up to 15 Years of Prospective Clinical Follow Up.

This prospective clinical study evaluated the survival of indirect, posterior fiber-reinforced composite fixed dental prosthesis (FRC FDP). Between June-1999 and June- 2000, 58 patients received 65 FCR FDPs made of unidirectional E-glass fibers (Vectris) veneered with resin composite (Signum) that were adhesively cemented (Variolink II). The evaluation protocol involved technical (chipping, debonding or fracture of tooth/restoration) and biological failures (caries, endodontic complications). Altogether, 6 technical failures were observed after a mean observation time of 180 months (survival rate: 89.2%, Kaplan-Meier) in the form of fractures (n=2) and partial debondings (n=4). All defective restorations were repaired or recemented. Secondary caries occurred in one patient after 11 years. The 3-unit posterior FRC FDPs showed good clinical survival rate up to 15 years of clinical function. Limited numbers of experienced failures were due to mainly debonding followed by fracture of the veneering composite.g composite.