The biologically oriented preparation technique (BOPT) approach for preventing gingival recessions in fixed prosthodontics. A 5- to 13-year follow-up retrospective study.

AIM: The present study was a retrospective medium- to long-term follow-up assessment of the clinical outcomes of patients rehabilitated with fixed prostheses according to the biologically oriented preparation technique (BOPT) principles.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Clinical records of patients rehabilitated between January 2007 and December 2014 were retrospectively assessed. Patients whose records met the inclusion criteria were also recalled for a hygiene visit. Data analyzed included the patients' periodontal condition, the presence of gingival recessions as well as any technical or biologic prosthetic complication.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight patients were recalled; of these, 52 patients who had received 220 crowns were available for the evaluation (the dropout being 13.8%). The average follow-up was 9.3 years (range 5 to 13 years): 14 patients (114 prosthetic crowns) had a follow-up between 5 and 8 years, and 36 patients (106 prosthetic crowns) between 9 and 13 years. The prosthetic survival rate was 99.6%. One radicular fracture (0.4%) and four chippings of the veneering porcelain (1.8%) were recorded. Six teeth (2.7% of the examined prosthetic crowns) presented gingival recession of < 1 mm, and 13 teeth (24 sites) had a pocket probing depth of 4 mm (5.9% of the prosthetic crowns/1.8% of the sites). Finally, 20 sites (1.5%) in seven teeth (3.2%) showed bleeding on probing.

CONCLUSIONS

Tooth preparation according to the BOPT principles (ie, with a vertical finishing line) resulted in medium- to long-term periodontal health and stability of the gingival tissue, and prosthetic success was maintained.