A recent study reveals that direct composite restorations are more effective than zirconia resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses (RBFDPs) for addressing single missing anterior teeth. The study highlights that direct composites are less invasive and can often be completed in a single visit.
The research followed 45 eligible patients over a mean observation period of 21.9 months. The estimated survival rates for direct composite RBFDPs (CR-RBFDP) and zirconia RBFDPs (Zr-RBFDP) were found to be 92.3% and 91.7%, respectively. The clinical records analyzed were collected from five private dental clinics and one university hospital. In this context, failure was defined as any RBFDP that was removed or remade. Survival analyses were conducted using log-rank tests, which showed no statistically significant difference between the two treatment methods (p = 0.78).
This study suggests that, despite concerns over material strength, direct composite restorations can provide reliable outcomes in a clinical setting, making them a viable option for patients with single missing anterior teeth.
