Key Points
-
Gain a contemporary understanding of the role of resin bonded bridges in replacing missing teeth.
-
Learn how to improve survival and aesthetics of resin bonded bridges.
-
A 'quick reference' summary of things to consider clinically and technically, to improve outcome.
Abstract
Resin bonded bridges are a minimally invasive option for replacing missing teeth. Although they were first described over 30 years ago, evidence regarding their longevity remains limited and these restorations have developed an undeserved reputation for failure. This article provides a brief review of the literature regarding bridge success and continues to highlight aspects of case selection, bridge design and clinical procedure which may improve outcome.
Similar content being viewed by others
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
References
Howe D F, Denehy G E . Anterior fixed partial dentures utilizing the acid-etch technique and a cast metal framework. J Prosthet Dent 1977; 37: 28–31.
St George G, Hemmings K, Patel K . Resin-retained bridges re-visited. Part 1. History and indications. Prim Dent Care 2002; 9: 87–91.
Edelhoff D, Sorensen J A . Tooth structure removal associated with various preparation designs for anterior teeth. J Prosthet Dent 2002; 87: 503–509.
Pjetursson B E, Tan W C, Tan K, Bragger U, Zwahlen M, Lang N P . A systematic review of the survival and complication rates of resin-bonded bridges after an observation period of at least 5 years. Clin Oral Implants Res 2008; 19: 131–141.
Pjetursson B E, Bragger U, Lang N P, Zwahlen M . Comparison of survival and complication rates of tooth-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) and implant-supported FDPs and single crowns (SCs). Clin Oral Implants Res 2007; 18 Suppl 3: 97–113.
Jung R E, Pjetursson B E, Glauser R, Zembic A, Zwahlen M, Lang N P . A systematic review of the 5-year survival and complication rates of implantsupported single crowns. Clin Oral Implants Res 2008; 19: 119–130.
Hussey D L, Wilson N H . The provision of resin-bonded bridgework within the General Dental Services 1987–1997. Prim Dent Care 1999; 6: 21–24.
Patsiatzi E, Grey N J . An investigation of aspects of design of resin-bonded bridges in general dental practice and hospital services. Prim Dent Care 2004; 11: 87–89.
Jepson N J, Moynihan P J, Kelly P J, Watson G W, Thomason J M . Caries incidence following restoration of shortened lower dental arches in a randomized controlled trial. Br Dent J 2001; 191: 140–144.
Knoernschild K L, Campbell S D . Periodontal tissue responses after insertion of artificial crowns and fixed partial dentures. J Prosthet Dent 2000; 84: 492–498.
Rashid S A, Al-Wahadni A M, Hussey D L . The periodontal response to cantilevered resin-bonded bridgework. J Oral Rehabil 1999; 26: 912–917.
Verzijden C W, Creugers N H, van't Hof M A . Treatment times for posterior resin-bonded bridges. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1990; 18: 304–308.
Tredwin C J, Setchell D J, George G S, Weisbloom M . Resin-retained bridges as predictable and successful restorations. Alpha Omegan 2007; 100: 89–96.
Lindhe J, Svanberg G . Influence of trauma from occlusion on progression of experimental periodontitis in the beagle dog. J Clin Periodontol 1974; 1: 3–14.
Robinson S, Chan M F . New teeth from old: treatment options for retained primary teeth. Br Dent J 2009; 207: 315–20.
Briggs P, Dunne S, Bishop K . The single unit, single retainer, cantilever resin-bonded bridge. Br Dent J 1996; 181: 373–379.
Ibbetson R. Clinical considerations for adhesive bridgework. Dent Update 2004; 31: 254–256, 258, 260 passim.
Poyser N J, Porter R W, Briggs P F, Chana H S, Kelleher M G . The Dahl Concept: past, present and future. Br Dent J 2005; 198: 669–676.
Djemal S, Setchell D, King P, Wickens J . Long-term survival characteristics of 832 resin-retained bridges and splints provided in a post-graduate teaching hospital between 1978 and 1993. J Oral Rehabil 1999; 26: 302–320.
Chan A W, Barnes I E . A prospective study of cantilever resin-bonded bridges: an initial report. Aust Dent J 2000; 45: 31–36.
Olin P S, Hill E M, Donahue J L . Clinical evaluation of resin-bonded bridges: a retrospective study. Quintessence Int 1991; 22: 873–877.
van Dalen A, Feilzer A J, Kleverlaan C J . A literature review of two-unit cantilevered FPDs. Int J Prosthodont 2004; 17: 281–284.
Kern M. Clinical long-term survival of two-retainer and single-retainer all-ceramic resin-bonded fixed partial dentures. Quintessence Int 2005; 36: 141–147.
Bassi G S, Youngson C C . An in vitro study of dentin exposure during resin-bonded fixed partial denture preparation. Quintessence Int 2004; 35: 541–548.
Garnett M J, Wassell R W, Jepson N J, Nohl F S . Survival of resin-bonded bridgework provided for post-orthodontic hypodontia patients with missing maxillary lateral incisors. Br Dent J 2006; 201: 527–534.
Walls A W, Nohl F S, Wassell R W . Crowns and other extra-coronal restorations: resin-bonded metal restorations. Br Dent J 2002; 193: 135–135, 141–142.
Northeast S E, van Noort R, Shaglouf A S . Tensile peel failure of resin-bonded Ni/Cr beams: an experimental and finite element study. J Dent 1994; 22: 252–256.
Ibrahim A A, Byrne D, Hussey D L, Claffey N . Bond strengths of maxillary anterior base metal resin-bonded retainers with different thicknesses. J Prosthet Dent 1997; 78: 281–285.
De Kanter R J, Creugers N H, Verzijden C W, Van't Hof M A . A five-year multipractice clinical study on posterior resin-bonded bridges. J Dent Res 1998; 77: 609–614.
Botelho M. Design principles for cantilevered resin-bonded fixed partial dentures. Quintessence Int 2000; 31: 613–619.
Ziada H M, Orr J F, Benington I C . Photoelastic stress analysis in perforated (Rochette) resin bonded bridge design. J Oral Rehabil 2000; 27: 387–393.
Creugers N H, de Kanter R J, Verzijden C W, van't Hof M A. [Five year survival of posterior adhesive bridges. Influence of bonding systems and tooth preparation]. Ned Tijdschr Tandheelkd 1999; 106: 250–253.
Hobson R S, Crotty T, Thomason J M, Jepson N J . A quantitative study of enamel acid etch patterns on surfaces used for retention of resin-bonded fixed prostheses. Eur J Prosthodont Restor Dent 2005; 13: 123–128.
Audenino G, Giannella G, Morello G M, Ceccarelli M, Carossa S, Bassi F . Resin-bonded fixed partial dentures: ten-year follow-up. Int J Prosthodont 2006; 19: 22–23.
Marinello C P, Kerschbaum T, Heinenberg B et al. Experiences with resin-bonded bridges and splints - a retrospective study. J Oral Rehabil 1987; 14: 251–260.
Alani A, Maglad A, Nohl F . The prosthetic management of gingival aesthetics. Br Dent J 2011; 210: 63–69.
Elder A R, Djemal S . Electrosurgery: a technique for achieving aesthetic and retentive resin-bonded bridges. Dent Update 2008; 35: 371–374, 376.
Creugers N H, De Kanter R J . Patients' satisfaction in two long-term clinical studies on resin-bonded bridges. J Oral Rehabil 2000; 27: 602–607.
Creugers N H, Kayser A F . An analysis of multiple failures of resin-bonded bridges. J Dent 1992; 20: 348–351.
Acknowledgements
The authors are very grateful for the excellent standard of technical support provided by Mr Kevin Wilson, Senior Dental Technician, Leeds Dental Institute
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing financial interests.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Durey, K., Nixon, P., Robinson, S. et al. Resin bonded bridges: techniques for success. Br Dent J 211, 113–118 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2011.619
Accepted:
Published:
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2011.619
This article is cited by
-
Practical advice for successful clinical treatment with resin-bonded bridges
British Dental Journal (2023)
-
Top tips for the immediate replacement of teeth
British Dental Journal (2023)
-
The dental technician as a member of the hypodontia multidisciplinary team, with practical considerations for anterior restoration design
British Dental Journal (2023)
-
Restorative dentistry clinical decision-making for hypodontia: peg and missing lateral incisor teeth
British Dental Journal (2023)
-
Minimum intervention in orthodontics
British Dental Journal (2020)


