To evaluate the cumulative survival (CS) rates of fixed partial dentures (FPDs) retained by full-veneer retainers, and those of resin-bonded FPDs provided by graduating dental students for the replacement of a single missing tooth. In 168 patients, 61 3-unit fixed-fixed FPDs and 25 2-unit cantilevered FPDs retained by full-veneer retainers, and 77 3-unit fixed-fixed resin-bonded FPDs and 47 2-unit cantilevered resin-bonded FPDs, were examined for their retention and integrity. The periodontal health, endodontic status and coronal tissues of all abutment teeth were also evaluated. The survival rates of these various designs were analysed with the Kaplan-Meier method. The mean age of all FPDs was 31 months. At 48 months after their insertion, 3-unit FPDs retained by full-veneer retainers had a CS rate of 82%, followed by 2-unit resin-bonded FPDs at 81%, 2-unit FPDs retained by full-veneer retainers at 77%, and 3-unit resin-bonded FPDs at 63%. No significant difference was found between the four designs (P>0.05). Up to both 48 and 60 months, the most common causes of failure were endodontic for FPDs retained by full-veneer retainers, and dislodgement for resin-bonded FPDs. The 3-unit fixed-fixed FPDs retained by full-veneer retainers had the most favourable prognosis after 48 months for replacing a single missing tooth, but the difference between designs was not statistically significant.