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The aim of this study was to investigate the quality of communication and master impressions for the fabrication of cobalt chromium removable partial dentures (RPDs) in general dental practice in England, Ireland and Wales in 2009. Two hundred and ten questionnaires were distributed to 21 laboratories throughout England, Ireland and Wales. Information was collected regarding the quality of written communication and selection of master impression techniques for cobalt chromium partial dentures in general dental practice. One hundred and forty-four questionnaires were returned (response rate = 68%). Alginate was the most popular impression material being used in 58% of cases (n = 84), while plastic stock trays were the most popular impression tray, being used in 31% of cases (n = 44). Twenty-four per cent (n = 35) of impressions were not adequately disinfected. Opposing casts were provided in 81% of cases (n = 116). Written instructions were described as being 'clear' in 31% of cases (n = 44). In 54% of cases (n = 76), the technician was asked to design the RPD. Based on the findings of this study, written communication for cobalt chromium RPDs by general dental practitioners is inadequate. This finding is in breach of relevant contemporary legal and ethical guidance. There are also concerns in relation to the fabrication process for this form of prosthesis, particularly, in relation to consideration of occlusal schemes.

This study aimed to evaluate the responsiveness of denture patients to the Liverpool Oral Rehabilitation Questionnaire (LORQ). Changes in scores for 20 core items completed from 2000 to 2005 by 16 patients both before and after oral rehabilitation were assessed. The median age of respondents was 68 years and the median time between questionnaires was 2.6 years. Results indicated that masticatory efficiency impacted both food choice (P = .03) and social life (P = .06). After rehabilitation there was less worry about maxillary prostheses falling out (P = .07), less embarrassment while conversing (P = .02), and less worry about losing self-confidence from embarrassment caused by dentures (P = .06). Also, drooling problems deteriorated (P = .03). This exploratory study reports encouraging findings, but a larger prospective multicenter study is required to determine the responsiveness of the current version of the LORQ (version 3).

This study was designed to investigate and identify factors relevant to the success and failure of posterior resin-bonded bridges (PRBBs) related to the patient, technique, operator and bridge design. It was a long-term controlled clinical trial and formed part of a multicentered study on PRBBs. Data are presented 2.5 years from the start of the study. Following a strict protocol for case selection, 54 posterior, resin-bonded, fixed-fixed, three unit bridges were placed in 45 patients. Twenty-four patients with 27 PRBBs attended for 2.5-year recall. Treatment variables were limited to one of two operators and either a conventional tooth preparation or a more extensive modified preparation was performed. The allocation of treatment modalities was performed using a computer program to balance patient variables such as age, gender, location of bridge, restoration of abutment teeth. All bridges were produced in one laboratory, treated to produce a silicate-coating bond and placed using Microfill Pontic C (Kulzer, Wehrheim, Germany). Data relating to the patients, the open spaces, bridge preparation, bridge placement and subsequent annual evaluation were recorded. The survival of PRBBs in the maxilla was 77% and in the mandible 47%.

The reasons for failure of 142 bridges in 130 patients from general dental practice seen at the Bristol Dental Hospital from 1981 to 1986 were assessed. Most patients were either self-referred or sent by a dentist who had not made the bridge. The mean age of the bridges at failure was 6.2 years. The main single reasons for failure were secondary caries or apical pathology, but many bridges failed as a result of factors related to design and structure. Bridges of porcelain fused to gold or gold faced with acrylic lasted twice as long as those of porcelain fused to alloys. There was no correlation between the age of the patient at bridge placement and years of service. Eighteen per cent of the bridges were repaired, recemented or rescued by endodontics alone; 61% were replaced by a new bridge, and the remainder required a removable prosthesis.