Abstract

Single-retainer resin-bonded fixed partial dentures and resin-bonded attachments. Innovation with clinical success.

Matthias Kern
Single-retainer resin-bonded fixed partial dentures (RBFPDs) and resin-bonded attachments are promising minimal invasive treatment options when caries-free abutment teeth are present. In both cases an extracoronal restoration is retained by an adhesive retainer bonded to sound enamel by the acid-etch technique.

In young patients and in the lower anterior arch with limited space, single-retainer RBFPDs made either from metal ceramics or high-strength oxide ceramics offer significant advantages compared to single tooth implants. Resin-bonded attachments retaining removable partial dentures (RPDs) are an esthetical and functional alternative to clasp-retained RPDs when caries-free abutment teeth are available.

This article describes indications and advantages of these innovative treatment modalities and summarizes the scientific data on their clinical outcome, which is as least as good as the conventional alternatives.