Bridges in general dental practices: a descriptive study of the types of bridges and patients.

Based on data from patient records from a random sample of Dutch general practices, a study was made of the bridge distribution pattern in different patient groups. Patient variables such as age, sex and insurance type were analysed. More women had a bridge inserted than men. However, there appeared to be no difference in the average quantity of bridges in men or women. The abutment teeth most frequently used were the cuspids in the maxilla and the second premolars and second molars in the mandible. Fourteen per cent of the bridges consisted of five or more units, 14% were free-end bridges, 13% did not meet Ante's law and 16% had one or more non-vital abutment teeth.