Bridgework

Question 1

definition of a bridge

Answer 1

a prosthesis which replaces a missing tooth or teeth and is attached to one or more natural teeth (or implants)

Question 2

what are the two main categories of bridgework

Answer 2

adhesive
conventional
(adhesive = wings on palatal surface of adjacent, conventional = crowns)

Question 3

abutment

Answer 3

tooth that serves to support/ as an attachment for a prosthesis

Question 4

pontic

Answer 4

artificial tooth which is suspended from the abutment tooth/ teeth

Question 5

retainers

Answer 5

extracoronal or intracoronal restorations that are connected to the pontic and the cemented to the abutment teeth

Question 6

connector

Answer 6

components which connect pontic to retainer

Question 7

pier

Answer 7

an abutment tooth which stands between and is supporting 2 pontics with each pontic being attached to a further abutment tooth

Question 8

unit

Answer 8

either a retainer or a pontic
e.g a bridge with 2 retainers and 1 pontic is a 3 unit bridge

Question 9

cantilever vs fixed-fixed

Answer 9

cantilever - retainer at only one side of pontic
fixed-fixed - retainer at both ends of pontic

Question 10

Name 4 contraindications to placing a bridge

Answer 10

periapical pathology
active disease - caries, periodontal disease
poor prognosis of abutment teeth
poor ridge form and tissue loss (bridge doesnt replace soft tissues like RPD does)
uncooperative patient with poor oral hygiene
future tooth loss in arch predicted (is RPD better)

Question 11

maryland bridge

Answer 11

alternative name for adhesive bridge

Question 12

advantages to resin bonded bridgework in comparison to conventional

Answer 12

minimal to no prep
no anaesthetic
reasonable cost
less surgery time (no prep)

Question 13

disadvantages to resin bonded bridgework in comparison to conventional

Answer 13

technique sensitive - need complete dryness
metal shine through - if poorly designed
de bonding
occlusal interference of wing
no trial possible

Question 14

indications for resin bonded bridgework

Answer 14

single tooth replacements
minimal occlusal load
good enamel quality
young teeth - no prep
large abutment tooth surface area

Question 15

contraindications for resin bonded bridgework

Answer 15

insufficient or poor quality enamel
long edentulous spans
excess soft or hard tissue loss
bruxism
heavy occlusal load
poorly aligned, tilted or spaced teeth

Question 16

what is a direct resin bonded bridge

Answer 16

emergency/ immediate situations , short term solution
patients own tooth that has been extracted or lost traumatically is used as pontic or a acrylic denture tooth is used
Roots and pulp removed if patients own tooth
contact points etched, primed and bonded to adjacent teeth with composite

Question 17

indirect resin bonded bridge

Answer 17

planned bridge
appointment for impression, lab creates then another appointment to cement

Question 18

why are fixed- fixed adhesive bridges rare

Answer 18

one side may debond before the other and go un noticed
Allows for leakage into area below wing where caries can thrive and area cant be cleaned

Question 19

how far from gingival margins should adhesive wings finish to allow proper cleaning of gingival margins

Answer 19

0.5mm supragingivally

Question 20

in general what type of bridge would be used for anterior and posterior teeth

Answer 20

anterior - cantilever
posterior - fixed-fixed

Question 21

antes law

Answer 21

combined root surface of abutment teeth should exceed or be equal to the root surface of the tooth/teeth being replaced