Martin Kelleher

Clinical evaluation of resin-bonded gold alloy veneers

STATEMENT OF PROBLEMnClinical performance of resin-bonded alumina-abraded type III cast gold alloy veneers has not been reported.nnnPURPOSEnThis retrospective study evaluated the survival of such restorations for the management of tooth wear and other restorative problems.nnnMATERIAL AND METHODnThis clinical study evaluated 25 patients between 14 and 60 years of age treated with a total of 158 cast gold veneers cemented with Panavia Ex cement. Restorations placed between January 1990 and February 1996 (mean age 48 months) were evaluated. Factors, including age, gender, operator, site, design, the extent of dentin exposure, the presence of previous restorations, dynamic and static occlusion, rubber dam, cause, and methods of interocclusal space creation, were evaluated with Cox regression. Survival probability was evaluated with Kaplan-Meier analyses. Significance was taken as P <.05.nnnRESULTSnFailures occurred for 7.6% of restorations in 28% of patients. Alumina-abraded gold alloys cemented with Panavia Ex cement had an estimated 89% survival probability at 60 months using Kaplan-Meier analyses. The only variable to statistically influence survival was operator (P <.0001). Operator differences were due to a single operator who placed only 2 restorations in the same patient, both of which failed unusually quickly.nnnCONCLUSIONnResin-bonded alumina-abraded type III cast gold alloys can be successfully used to restore both anterior and posterior teeth and were associated with an estimated 89% survival probability at 60 months.