Diagnostic provisional restorations in restorative dentistry: the blueprint for success.
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There is no question that patients today demand a sophisticated level of restorative dentistry, in terms of both esthetics and function. No elective restorative dentistry should be undertaken without a clear understanding of the patient's expectations and the limitations of restorative therapy. The dentist should have a clear picture in mind of the final results before initiating irreversible therapy. The use of mounted diagnostic casts, diagnostic wax-ups and provisional restorations permits patient acceptance to be obtained before the definitive phase is initiated. Too often the dentist does not take advantage of this important restorative option, with disastrous results when definitive restorations are viewed by the patient for the first time. By following the plan of treatment outlined in this article, such disasters can be avoided. (+info)
Single-tooth replacement: bridge vs. implant-supported restoration.
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Options for restoring a single tooth include fixed partial denture, resin-bonded restoration and single-tooth implant. In this paper, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these methods and factors that must be considered when choosing between them for the replacement of a single tooth. Although in some cases a fixed partial denture is the most appropriate choice, implants have the advantage of allowing preservation of the integrity of sound teeth adjacent to the edentulous area. (+info)
The congenitally missing upper lateral incisor. A retrospective study of orthodontic space closure versus restorative treatment.
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Orthodontic treatment for patients with uni- or bilateral congenitally missing lateral incisors is a challenge to effective treatment planning. The two major alternatives, orthodontic space closure or space opening for prosthetic replacements, can both compromise aesthetics, periodontal health, and function. The aim of this retrospective study was to examine treated patients who had congenitally missing lateral incisors and to compare their opinion of the aesthetic result with the dentists' opinions of occlusal function and periodontal health. In this sample, 50 patients were identified. Thirty had been treated with orthodontic space closure, and 20 by space opening and a prosthesis (porcelain bonded to gold and resin bonded bridges). The patient's opinion of the aesthetic result was evaluated using the Eastman Esthetic Index questionnaire and during a structured interview. The functional status, dental contact patterns, periodontal condition, and quality of the prosthetic replacement was evaluated. In general, subjects treated with orthodontic space closure were more satisfied with the appearance of their teeth than those who had a prosthesis. No significant differences in the prevalence of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) were found. However, patients with prosthetic replacements had impaired periodontal health with accumulation of plaque and gingivitis. The conclusion of this study is that orthodontic space closure produces results that are well accepted by patients, does not impair temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function, and encourages periodontal health in comparison with prosthetic replacements. (+info)
Indirect retention.
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This article explains the mechanism of indirect retention for RPDs and discusses the factors which determine its effectiveness. Examples are given of designs which incorporate indirect retention. (+info)
The use of resin cements in restorative dentistry to overcome retention problems.
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The use of resin cements in combination with dentin bonding agents can result in superior attachment of prostheses to tooth structure. This paper describes four clinical cases in which dentin-bonded resin cements were used to overcome retention problems. In the first case, a detached fixed partial denture, which was in good condition when separated, was recemented to abutment teeth prepared with less-than-ideal angle of convergence. In the second case, a detached all-porcelain crown was recemented with a dentin-bonded resin cement after appropriate surface treatment. In the third case, a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown made for a molar tooth was cemented to a short clinical crown, avoiding crown-lengthening surgery. In the fourth case, a 3-unit fixed partial denture was recemented to abutments with less-than-ideal supporting features. Dentin-bonded resin cements can help to extend the life of detached prostheses until the patient is financially prepared for replacement or it can help to avoid crown-lengthening surgery. (+info)
Changing paradigms in implant dentistry.
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This review focuses on five paradigms of implant dentistry which have undergone considerable modifications in recent years. An attempt was made to select and include all the relevant citations of the past 10 years. These five paradigms document the debate in the clinical and scientific community and include the aspects of (1) smooth vs. rough implant surfaces, (2) submerged vs. non-submerged implant installation techniques, (3) mixed tooth-implant vs. solely implant-supported reconstructions, (4) morse-taper abutment fixation vs. butt-joint interfaces, and (5) titanium abutments vs. esthetic abutments in clinical situations where esthetics is of primary concern. (+info)
Occlusal stability in implant prosthodontics -- clinical factors to consider before implant placement.
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The success of any prosthetic design depends on proper management of the occlusion. The clinical variables influencing occlusal stability must be determined and considered in the design of the final prosthesis. This paper outlines some of these variables. (+info)
A multi-centre study of Osseotite implants supporting mandibular restorations: a 3-year report.
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This multi-centre study evaluated the performance of the Osseotite implant in the mandibular arch. Osseotite implants (n = 688) were placed in 172 patients; 43.5% were placed in the anterior mandible and 66.5% in the posterior mandible. Fifteen per cent of the implants were placed in soft bone, 56.9% in normal bone and 28.1% in dense bone. During placement, 49.9% of the implants were identified as having a tight fit, 48.6% a firm fit and 1.5% a loose fit. About one-third of the implants (32.4%) were short (10 mm in length or less). After 36 months, only 5 implants had been lost, for a cumulative survival rate of 99.3%. The 3-year results of this study indicate a high degree of predictability with placement of Osseotite implants in the mandibular arch. (+info)