A Clinical Survey on the Prognosis of Fixed Bridges

A clinical survey was made from late prognosis of 1139 fixed bridges which were worn for years by patients visiting our clinic during half a year in 1952. 29.3% of them complained about bridges, but actually 40% of the bridges unsatisfatory. Majority of such faulty bridges had supporting teeth suffering from the periodontal disease caused by either ill fitting gingival margins of the over loading upon them. Breakdown of the bridges and secondary decay on supporting teeth were additionally found. These mishaps were also more common on upper anterior bridges. It should be emphasized here that many patients did not know till their bridges or supporting teeth had been incurable.