[Resin-bonded fixed partial dentures in the anterior area].

In essence the resin-bonded fixed partial denture, or resin-bonded bridge, is an artificial tooth that is bonded to 1 or 2 abutment teeth. If the resin-bonded bridge is directly made with resin composite intra-orally, then the connector area is the weakest link. The alternative is to produce an indirect resin-bonded bridge in which a metal or ceramic frame spans the space between the abutments. The bridge is bonded to the abutments with composite. The moderate clinical results of the resin-bonded bridge can be associated with a deficiency of the abutment teeth preparation. Therefore, strategic preparation with grooves and rests is of substantial importance for proper support. By doing so, the longevity of the straightforward resin-bonded bridge rivals the performance of other dental provisions. There is a disagreement whether 2-unit resin-bonded bridges perform better than their 3-unit counterparts. Two optimally prepared abutment teeth are still a solid basis for a metal-ceramic resin-bonded bridge. For ceramic resin-bonded bridges, 1 abutment seems to be sufficient.