In periodontally compromised patients, is splinting the entire dental arch with a onepiece, “round-house” fixed bridge the treatment of choice ?
In periodontally compromised patients, is splinting the entire dental arch with a onepiece, “round-house” fixed bridge the treatment of choice ?
Splinting an entire dental arch with a round-house fixed bridge is far from the treatment of choice because it is fraught with potential problems:
1. All tooth preparations must be parallel to each other.
2. Impression taking and die construction are extremely difficult.
3. Accuracy of fit for the one-piece unit is extremely difficult.
4. Premature setting of the cement is a major risk, because total seating of the fixed bridge onto the abutments is made extremely difficult by the mobility of the existing teeth.
5. If one of the abutments fails, it may be necessary to replace the entire prosthesis. It is better to split up the prosthesis in some fashion than to construct a one-piece unit.
Category: Prosthodontics, Viva questions