Fixed bridges Flashcards
What is a fixed dental prosthesis?
A fixed dental prosthesis is any dental prosthesis that is 🦷 luted, screwed, or mechanically attached to natural teeth, tooth roots, or implants. It provides primary support to replace missing teeth.
What are the key components of a fixed dental prosthesis?
🔐 Retainer: Crown, ¾ crown, or metal wing that attaches to the abutment
🧱 Pontic: Artificial tooth that fills the space
🧩 Abutment: The tooth/implant that supports the structure
What is an abutment in fixed prosthodontics?
It’s the part of the structure that receives occlusal forces and supports the prosthesis — either a natural tooth or an implant 🦷🔩
usually the lateral tooth
Difference between single vs. double abutment bridges?
Single abutment: Supports a cantilever bridge (pontic on one side) ➡️
Double abutment: For fixed-fixed bridges, support on both sides ⬅️🦷➡️
What are ideal abutments?
Teeth like 1s, 3s, and 6s
Good crown height, root length, and bone support
What are poor abutment choices?
🚫
Heavily restored teeth
Teeth with post-crowns/RCT
Structurally weak or mobile teeth
What is a pontic?
A false tooth that replaces a missing one, restoring function & aesthetics 🦷✨
What are the types of pontic designs and uses?
🛋 Modified Ridge Lap: Common and hygienic
💧 Ovate Pontic: Most aesthetic, needs surgical prep
🚫 Sanitary (Hygienic): Best for cleaning, least aesthetic
What is a retainer in bridgework?
The part that attaches to abutment teeth — like a full crown, ¾ crown, inlay/onlay, or metal wing 🛠
What is a conventional fixed-fixed bridge?
A bridge supported by two abutments, one on each side of the pontic 🦷🔗🦷
What is a conventional cantilever bridge?
A bridge supported by one abutment only → commonly for lateral incisors 🔗🦷
indications for conventional bridges?
✅
Heavily restored abutments
🔄 Replacing existing bridges
Good OH & motivation 🪥
Stable perio 🧼
Short edentulous span
Contraindications or conventional bridges?
❌
Unrestored or poor abutments
😬 Poor OH, caries, periodontitis
Long spans
💥 Contact sports
Low motivation
What is a resin-retained cantilever bridge?
A bridge with a metal wing bonded to enamel with minimal or no prep, usually for single tooth replacement ➡️🦷
Design features of RRBs?
🎨
Bond to enamel
0.7–0.8 mm non-precious metal wing
Use cantilever design
Avoid excursive contact ❌👅
Max contact with abutment for retention
Indications for RRBs?
Unrestored, sound abutments
🧽 Good OH
🧑⚕️ Motivated patients
Small spaces (e.g., lateral incisors)
Contraindications for RRBs?
❌
Short crowns
🦷 Heavily restored abutments
Caries or poor OH
Large gaps
😬 Bruxism, trauma, sports
What occlusal features are important in bridge design?
☁️ Light ICP contact
❌ No lateral or protrusive contact
Share guidance with other teeth
Pontic = no excursive stress
Aesthetic considerations to inform the patient?
🪞
Grey metal wing may show through
Shade match critical 🎨
Use blue wax shy of incisal edge to mask wing
What’s the step-by-step for making a conventional bridge?
🦷 Primary impression
🪄 Diagnostic wax-up
🧑🔬 Abutment prep + silicone master impression
🛡 Temporisation
🧠 Articulator work
🧪 Try-in & cementation
Common complications with bridges?
⚠️
Caries under retainer
Endodontic failure
Debonding (esp. RRBs)
Porcelain chipping
Root fracture 🦴
Aesthetic mismatch
Survival rates?
Crowns:
84% survive 10 yrs
81.2% at 15 yrs
RRBs: Debonding is biggest issue
Fixed-fixed bridges: Risk of catastrophic failure if it goes wrong 💥
What is the ‘shortened dental arch’ concept?
Replacing only anterior/mid-teeth when posterior teeth don’t critically affect function ➡️ keeps treatment conservative and cost-effective 🪙🦷
What should always be done before starting bridge treatment?
✅
Diagnostic wax-up 🔍
Check occlusal scheme 🦷↔️🦷
Pick least invasive option
Discuss risks & maintenance with patient 🗣
