ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to assess the causes of failure of tooth supported fixed partial dentures due to biological and technical complications. A total of 115 patients who had problems with their metal ceramic FPDs were included in this study. Age, gender, oral hygiene habits, reason for tooth loss [caries, periodontal disease, and trauma], and level of education [university, secondary, primary school and illiterate] were recorded in history. Detailed intra-oral clinical examination was carried out following the standard techniques of inspection, palpation, percussion and probing. Radiographic examination, when necessary, was also done. Prostheses evaluation included the recording of location of FPD in jaw, the technical complications of de-cementation, ceramic deboning and chipping, fracture of metal-frame, esthetic, occlusal problems, pain on chewing, dislodgement and secondary caries. Out of 115 total patients having FPDs with complaints 55[47.8%] were males and 60[51.7%] were females. Age range was from 20 to 65 years. Maximum number of missing teeth in single patients in both arches was 13 replaced with FPD. Most of the patient were employing tooth brush as oral hygiene measure [74.7%].illiterate patients having compliant FPD were carrying the maximum number [37.1%]. Caries [83.4%] were the common cause of tooth loss followed by periodontal problems [9.5%]. In both dental arches posterior FPDs were more numerous than anterior. In maxilla it was 25[21.6%] while in mandible 37[31.9%]. So it was more in posterior mandible than posterior maxilla.The most common complaint was pain on chewing 58[50.0%] followed by esthetics 18[15.5%. A high number of patients wearing fixed partial denture are having complaints which emphasize need for proper case selection, diagnosis and treatment planning on the behalf of the practitioners