An evaluation of the performance of cast gold bonded restorations in clinical practice, a retrospective study

Objectives To evaluate the performance of cast gold bonded restorations in clinical practice. Materials and methods The records of all patients treated with cast gold bonded restorations between 1997 and 2004 of The Dental Hospital of Newcastle upon Tyne were reviewed. The following data were recorded: sex of patient, location of teeth (anterior or posterior), position of teeth (upper or lower) and type of cement (glass ionomer, zinc phosphate or resin cement). The survival time was calculated for each restoration; and the reason for failure (either debond or change of treatment plan) identified for each case. The restorations were stratified according to the age of the patient into 10-year age bands and survival analysis was used to identify variables associated with increased risk of failure. Results Restorations luted with resin cement showed the highest rate of survival after 7 years of follow-up. The alternative lutes had significantly worse survival (p < 0.05). Restorations on anterior teeth had poorer survival than on posterior teeth but there were no differences between those placed in the mandible and the maxilla. Conclusions Within the limitations of this study resin cements are most appropriate for this type of restoration with 80% survival at 7 years. Restorations placed on posterior teeth survived better.