Success rate of crowns and fixed partial dentures provided to patients at the School of Dental Sciences, University of Nairobi

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the success rate of crowns and conventional fixed partial dentures provided to patients at the School of Dental Sciences, University of Nairobi.

Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Setting: School of Dental Sciences, University of Nairobi.

Subjects: 97 patients (35 male, 62 female) who had been provided with a total of 150 prostheses at the School of Dental Sciences between 2009 and 2015.

Materials and Methods: An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic data, oral hygiene practices, pain/sensitivity associated with prosthesis, level of satisfaction with the prosthesis and frequency of dental visits. A clinical and radiographic evaluation was conducted for the crowns and fixed partial dentures.

Results: The success rate for Fixed Partial Dentures (FPDs) was 75.4% (95% CI: 54.88-95.85%). A statistically significant association was demonstrated between FPD design and success (Fisher’s Exact Test = 8.194, p=0.018) and between the position of the fixed partial denture in the mouth and success (X²= 6.596, p = 0.017). The success rate of crowns was 66.7% (95% CI: 48.89-84.45%). A significant association was demonstrated between the level of training of the clinician and the success of crowns (X² = 7.772, p= 0.009) and between length of service and the success of crowns (Fisher’s exact test = 8.846, p=0.011).

Conclusion: The success rate for crowns and FPDs in our study was lower than the success rate reported in similar studies. Whereas the design and location of prosthesis in the mouth had a significant influence on the success of FPDs, the level of training of clinician and length of service had a significant influence on the success of crowns.