Resin-bonded fixed partial dentures
A resin-bonded fixed partial denture is a prosthetic construction which can replace 1 or several teeth in an occlusal system and which comprises a pontic elementwhich is adhesively attached to 1 or more abutment teeth. To compensate for the limited shear strength of the adhesive layer, the fixed partial denture is occlusally supported by the abutment(s). A direct resin-bonded fixed partial denture is made of composite, reinforced or not by a frame of flexible metal or fiber material. For an indirect resin-bonded fixed partial denture, a metal, fibre-reinforced composite or ceramic substructure is fabricated in a dental laboratory. The basic principle of a resin-bonded fixed partial denture is minimal invasiveness. However, a restoration in an abutment tooth requires a certain occlusal space which is realized by tooth preparation. Resistance preparations may be performed to improve the longevity of resin-bonded fixed partial dentures. Both financially and biologically, a resin-bonded bridge is a cost-effective prosthetic construction. The longevity is limited, but when the construction fails the negative consequences forthe abutments are generally limited, which leaves open several types of other treatments.