Resin-Bonded Bridges--Can We Cement Them 'High'?

Patient satisfaction following resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses cemented by using the Dahl concept

OBJECTIVE

Resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses (RBFDPs) cemented at an increased occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) (the Dahl concept) to create space for a metal retainer remains controversial because of the lack of reported clinical studies. This study analyzed the demographic (age and sex) and clinical factors (location and arch of prosthesis) affecting the patients' perception of RBFDPs cemented at an increased OVD.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty-eight participants treated with cantilevered RBFDP at an increased OVD were prospectively recruited. They were asked to answer a validated patient satisfaction questionnaire based on six parameters during the 12-week review visit.

RESULTS

71.4% of the participants were completely satisfied with the color, shape, and function. Twenty-one (75%) participants reported no complaints about the prostheses. 89.3% will recommend this treatment option to others. There was a significant difference between males and females in avoiding loading on the prostheses (p = 0.015). The level of satisfaction did not differ by age, ethnicity, location, and arch of the prostheses (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Patient satisfaction toward RBFDP cemented by using the Dahl approach was generally high on all the parameters at the 12-week review visit.

Occlusal force and occlusal contact reestablishment with resin-bonded fixed partial dental prostheses using the Dahl concept: A clinical study

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Space creation for a metal retainer of the resin-bonded fixed partial dental prostheses (RBFPDPs) with the Dahl concept remains controversial because of the lack of clinical studies.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this clinical study was to investigate the occlusal force and occlusal contact reestablishment of RBFPDPs cemented at an increased occlusal vertical dimension (the Dahl concept) and to evaluate the factors affecting them.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective clinical study was carried out on 28 participants receiving cantilevered RBFPDPs at an increased occlusal vertical dimension at the Faculty of Dentistry, University Teknologi MARA. Maximum occlusal forces were recorded at precementation, postcementation, and 12-week review visit by using pressure indicating film, while occlusal contact reestablishment was assessed at the precementation stage and 12-week review visit by using shim stock foils. The Wilcoxon signed-rank and chi-squared tests were used for statistical analysis (α=.05).

RESULTS

Significant differences were found for maximum occlusal force between the precementation and the postcementation and between the postcementation and the 12-week review of RBFPDPs (P<.05 for both) in all 28 participants. However, no significant difference was found between the precementation and the 12-week review (P=.085). The occlusal force reestablishment concerning sex, age, location, and arch of the prosthesis was found to be similar. Most of the participants (89.3%) achieved complete occlusal contact reestablishment and 10.7% partial occlusal reestablishment. The demographic and prosthesis factors were not significantly related to the occlusal reestablishment (P>.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, occlusal force was reestablished after 12 weeks, and occlusal contact was completely reestablished in most participants after placement of RBFPDPs at an increased occlusal vertical dimension.