Clinical and Radiographical Evaluation Fixed Bridge for Patients Previously Treated by Restorative Dentistry Board Students

Background and Objectives: Fixed partial dentures are commonly used in restorative dentistry to replace missing teeth, but their longevity can be compromised by biological, mechanical, and esthetic failures. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and causes of failures in fixed partial dentures fabricated by trainees in the Restorative Dentistry Board to enhance educational outcomes and clinical practice. Methods: A retrospective observational study design was employed at Shorish Dental Center, Sulaymaniyah, between September 2023 and March 2024, including 55 patients who received fixed partial dentures over the last five years. Clinical assessments and radiographs were used to identify failures, which were categorized into biological, mechanical, and esthetic types. Results: The mean age of patients was 48.13 ± 11.34 years, with 60% female. Mechanical failures were the most common, occurring in 38.12% of cases, primarily due to loss of retention (12.7%) and bridge fractures (9.1%). Biological failures accounted for 25.4%, with gingival recession (7.3%) and periodontal disease (5.5%) being the main contributors. Esthetic failures represented 9.06%, with unacceptable color match (3.6%) and under-contoured margins (3.6%) as leading factors. Statistical significance was found in the correlation between porcelain fractures and patient dissatisfaction (P≤0.003), and between gingival recession and male patients (P≤0.02). Conclusion: Mechanical factors, biological factors and Aesthetic issues were the main cause of failure in FPDs. Understanding these failure mechanisms can guide improvements in prosthesis design and trainee education.