The up to 25-Year Survival and Clinical Performance of 2,340 High Gold-Based Metal-Ceramic Single Crowns.

This study aimed to present the up to 25-year clinical performance and survival of 2,340 high gold-based metal-ceramic single crowns placed in a specialist prosthodontic practice. Materials and Methods: All crowns provided to 670 patients between 1984 and 2008 were sequentially recruited. The up to 10-year and 25-year estimated survival rates of the 2,211 favorably rated crowns were 97.08% ± 0.45% and 85.40% ± 2.19%, respectively. No significant differences related to sex, tooth type, or tooth position were demonstrated. Nonvital teeth had lower overall survival rates than vital teeth, but not in crowns placed in the postimplant era. Actual 10-year outcomes closely matched the estimated 10-year survival. Biologic factors accounted for 101 of the 133 failures, while mechanical factors accounted for 8 failures and patient concerns accounted for 24 failures. Porcelain fracture requiring replacement occurred in 4 crowns. Conclusions: The clinical performance of the crowns was excellent. Biologic factors accounted for the majority of failures. Material stability was excellent. Patient complaints of unacceptable esthetics resulted in 22 crowns being replaced after a mean clinical service time of 14 years.