RESUMO
Metal-ceramic full-coverage crowns [MCFCs] are the most commonly used coronal restoration in this country. However, locally relevant treatment outcome data regarding these is not available. The objective of this study was to report the distribution and levels of biological and technical complications in MCFCs in relation to arch, location in arches and place of provision / setting. As part of a large study, spanning between February 2007 and Jan 2008, data relating to 121 patients having complications with their levels in MCFCs were recorded. A structured proforma, patient`s interview and clinical and radiographic examinations were the methods used. Wi -an age of participants [33.2 years +/- 11.3 [SD]], males outnumbered females [1.42:1]. Complication occurred in younger patients [21 30 years]. The MCFCs [N =121] were: hospital-fitted [59%], privy - fitted [31.4%] and unqualified personal [10%]. Hospital-fitted MCFCs had 58.1% of the 179 noted coim Is as compared to 34% in private-practice-fitted and 8.4% in those made by unqualified personal. Irresp e of the fitting place, 36% of the complications were in those fitted just 1-year earlier with another 45.0% m -mose not older than 5-years. Complications [19%] were in those MCFCs that were older than 5-years. The noted compplication-events were: de-cementation [24%], peri-apical problems [23%], abutment fracture [13%], caries periodontal-problems [11.2%], esthetic problems [7.0%], artificial crown-fractures [7%], and occlus, [3.4%] withstanding the individual differing proportions and their levels, the distribution is levels of we 179 complication-events was: Level-1 [39.1%], Level-2 [50.3%] and Level- 3 [11%]. Irrespective of their providers or fitting-places as mentioned in this study, MCFCs showed very poor survival data. Strategies for improving the situation are suggested