Within the framework of an on-going prospective clinical study begun in 1985, 120 adhesive-fixed partial dentures (AFPD) continued to be examined. The manufacture and the fitting of the AFPDs were carried out following a standard procedure. The preparation technique and the metal framework conditioning (silica-coating, sand-blasting and electrochemical etching) has varied throughout the duration of the study. Using Kaplan-Meier analysis, the survival rate was determined and an analysis of risk with regard to location factors (anterior, posterior; maxilla, mandible), conditioning and preparation techniques (retentive/non-retentive) was determined using the Cox regression model. The location of the AFPD had no influence on the survival rate. The survival time was determined mainly by the preparation technique. Strict preparation of seating grooves and pin holes made a 95% survival rate possible after 10 years (Kaplan-Meier estimation). Without retention, the risk of failure increased by a factor of 3.7.