2020 Volume 12 Issue 3 Pages 209-224
Objectives: The objective of this systematic literature review was to assess the long-term clinical outcome of all-ceramic cantilever bridges.
Methods: An electronic PubMed search supplemented by manual searching was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials as well as prospective and retrospective cohort studies on the all-ceramic cantilever bridges with a minimum 2-year follow-up. The search provided 104 studies with abstracts. A full-text analysis was performed for 15 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Of these 15 studies, 5 studies were excluded because they were follow-up studies of the same study cohort.
Results: The results obtained are as follows: 1) Survival and success rates were considered in 10 different cohorts of 302 patients; 2) Cantilever bridges as a prosthetic method for minor tooth loss that embodies MI concept, especially resin-bonded cantilever bridges, have higher survival and success rates, compared to two-retainer resin-bonded bridges; 3) Case selection is an important factor for successful cantilever bridge. The upper lateral incisor, the upper central incisor, the lower incisor, and the upper and lower bicuspids are suitable for the pontic location of the bridge. It is desirable that the tooth loss is single and the abutment tooth is vital; 4) As a material to be used, high density sintered zirconia has been recently replacing glass ceramics, and is considered to be the most suitable material; 5) The incidence of complications is generally low. Especially the frequency of biological complications is extremely low, and most of them are technical complications such as debonding; 6) Strict application of the bonding technique established in two retainer-type resin bonded bridges is mandatory for the success of all-ceramic cantilever bridges.
Conclusion: The survival and success rates of all-ceramic cantilever bridges, especially resin bonded cantilever bridges, are very high. All-ceramic cantilever resin-bonded bridges have many advantages over the conventional two-retainer bridge and present a promising treatment alternative to cantilever resin-bonded bridges using a metal frame.
