Long-term clinical evaluation of fixed dentures--two to fifteen years after insertion.

Fixed denture durability is characterized as a period of time for which a dental appliance satisfies functional and esthetic requirements. First of all, its durability is based on the properties of materials it is made of, and depends, at the same time, on the characteristics of biological environment, in which the denture is placed. The purpose of this study was a long-term monitoring of changes taking place in the fixed dental constructions during their application in the oral cavity. These changes were to be evaluated for different types of materials used for fixed dentures manufacturing, namely metal alloys, ceramics, and plastics. A set of 454 full crowns from 134 patients divided in 6 clinical studies was examined and both qualitative and quantitative changes evaluated after 2 and 8 to 15 years after cementation. Clinical assessment adopted the United States Public Health Service System criteria. Alloys of precious metals veneered with ceramics are considered the optimal method of choice for both high precision of execution and consideration of future changes brought on by the use of the dentures.