A Proof of Concept for All-ceramic Zirconia Resin Bonded Bridges for Canine, Premolar and Short Span Posterior Teeth

Trial Design - Objectives and Purpose The aim of this study is to perform a proof of concept for the successful retention and outcome measures of zirconia RBBs for the replacement of missing canine or posterior teeth (6-8mm span) and that they will exhibit similar survival rates (95%) as metal ceramic RBBs over 3 years and short term (Botelho 2006). The use of monolithic extra-coronal zirconia RBBs in the posterior region does not appear to have been reported in the literature (A search pf Pub Med and Google Scholar has not shown any similar studies that have been published - pubmed.gov; Keywords: "zirconia", "resin", "clinical" assessed on 17/10/2015 AND google scholar; Keywords: "zirconia", "resin bonded fixed partial denture", "resin bonded fixed dental prosthesis", "Maryland", "resin bonded bridge" "posterior", "clinical") In addition, currently there appear to be no clinical trials planned or finished in this area (clinicaltrial.gov; Keywords: "zirconia", "resin" assessed on 17/10/2015) using zirconia RBBs in the posterior region. This reveals that there is a gap in the literature on the use of zirconia for replacing posterior teeth with such prostheses. The primary outcome measures would be: success ie. prosthesis retention ie. does not fall out The secondary outcome measures would be: * complications of the prosthesis such as tipping, drifting or fracture. * patient centered outcomes (satisfaction and oral health related quality of life) on the RBBs The hypothesis is that 2-unit cantilevered zirconia RBBs will be as successful as current data on 2-unit cantilevered metal-ceramic RBBs from this centre and that there will be no difference in the patient centered outcomes. The Primary review appointments will be at 1, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months. However, longer term follow up will be performed and this centre has experience of such long term studies (9.5 years - Botelho 2014). A randomized clinical trial (RCT) comparing to metal-ceramic RBBs will NOT be perfo