The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of fixed prostheses, i.e. single crowns and fixed partial dentures, in adults 20-80 years old in two cross-sectional studies carried out in 1983 and 1993 and to analyse whether the choice of material for fixed prostheses had changed during this time period. The material comprised 586 and 593 individuals. A descriptive analysis of number of individuals with fixed prostheses was made concerning the number of crowns and pontics, the distribution in the jaws, and the materials used. The prevalence of individuals with fixed prostheses was shown to increase with age both in 1983 and 1993. In 1993 the number of individuals with fixed prostheses was slightly lower than in 1983 (44 and 48 percent respectively). There was no difference according to gender. The proportion of individuals with fixed prostheses was lower or almost unchanged in the 20-, 30-, 40-, 50-, 60-, and 80-year-olds in 1993 compared to 1983. In the 70-year-olds, however, the proportion of individuals with fixed prostheses was considerably higher in 1993 compared to 1983. Most individuals with fixed prostheses had a small number of crowned teeth, and about half of the individuals had not more than four crowned teeth. Likewise most individuals with pontics had a small number of pontics. The distributions of crowned teeth and pontics in the jaws were similar in 1983 and 1993. Pontics and crowns were more frequent in the upper than in the lower jaw. Crowns made of porcelain or metal ceramic had increased by 1993 in the 30-80 year age groups, and the study thus confirms general clinical experience that porcelain and metal ceramic are more often the materials of choice in fixed prosthodontics in adults today.