Bridgework Flashcards
What are the treatment options for missing teeth?
- No treatment/leave space
- Replace tooth/teeth- denture, bridgework, implant
- Close the space- ortho
What is a bridge?
A prosthesis which replaces a missing tooth or teeth and is attache to one or more natural teeth.
What would be the indications for bridgework?
Restore function and stability of dentition
Restore appearance
Speech
Psychological reasons- reluctant to have removable teeth
Epilepsy- no removable appliances in these patients
Big abutment teeth- better retention an resistance form
Heavily restored teeth- would suggest fixed-fixed bridge work
Favourable abutment angulations
Favourable occlusion
What would be the contraindications for bridgework?
Unco-operative patient
Medical history- allergy to CoCr or other metals in bridgework
Poor oral hygiene
High caries rate
Uncontrolled peril disease
Large pulps
High possibility of further tooth loss int hat arch
Poor prognosis of abutments
Length of bridge span too large
Ridge form and tissue loss
Tilting and rotation of teeth
Degree of restoration- how much tooth tissue will be left after preparation?
Periapical status
What is a cantilever bridge?
This type of bridge has a retainer only at one side of the Pontic.
It can be conventional- crown prep on the abutment tooth.
Or adhesive- wing extends from the Pontic to the abutment tooth.
What is a fixed-fixed bridge?
This type of bridge has a retainer at each end with a Pontic in the middle, join day a rigid connector.
It can be conventional or adhesive.
Describe the different type of bridges you can offer to a patient?
Fixed-fixed adhesive bridge
Fixed-fixed conventional bridge
Adhesive cantilever
Conventional cantilever
What are the advantages of a resin-retained bridge?
Less destructive to tooth tissue- minimal or no preparation required
No anaesthetic needed
Less costly
Less surgery time
Can be used as a provisional restoration
If it fails, usually less destructive than alternatives
No temporary required
Fewer visits
What are the disadvantages of resin-retained bridges?
Rigorous clinical technique- need everything very dry.
Metal shine through from the wing
Chipping porcelain
Can debone
Occlusal interference- different guide paths
No trial period possible
Can only be done for short spanning bridges
What are the indications for a resin-retained bridge?
Young teeth- less destructive
Good enamel quality for bonding
Large abutment tooth surface area
Minimal occlusal load
Good for single tooth replacement
Simplify partial denture design
What are the contraindications for a resin-retained bridge?
Insufficient or poor quality enamel
Long span
Excess soft or hard tissue loss
Heavy occlusal force- bruxism
Poorly aligned, tilted or spaced teeth
Poor OH
High caries rate
Diastemas
In terms of history, what is important to find out from the patient?
Are they aware that they grind their teeth?
Do they bite their nails?
Smoker?
Alcohol?
Do they play any contact sports
Medical history- epilepsy, any diseases that will impact retention of a prosthesis or would be a choking hazard if it fell out
On examination, what is important to look for when thinking of placing a bridge?
Look for signs of toothwear and bruxism.
Full charting
Periodontal assessment
Radiological assessment- look for PA pathology, bone loss, caries.
Dynamic occlusal relationships.
Contact points- what would the bridge be contacting? Over-erupted teeth?
Guidance
Root:crown ratio
Interocclusal space
Over-eruption of teeth
Quality of restorations
Gingival contour and biotype
E/O
- Smile line
- Level of incisal show
- OVD and RVD
- Freeway space
Specifically look at abutment teeth and soft tissue contour.
- must have at a minimum 1:1 crown:root ratio but ideally you want to have more root surface area than crown surface area.
After examination, what might you want to do at the first appointment?
Take impressions for study models and facebow registration.
This will allow the technician to mount the casts with the same condylar relationship that is present within the patient.
May want to consider diagnostic wax ups to show the patient.
Request lab constructs a vacuum-formed stent- allows you to check that you have done enough reduction of the tooth during preparation and allows construction of a provisional bridge.
What aspects of bridgework would you want to make the patient aware of before embarking on treatment?
Make sure they understand what a bridge is- ask what they know about it already.
Ensure the pt knows the pros and cons of it- always give them the option of doing nothing and alternative options.
Ensure the pt understands the limitations of bridges.
Ensure they are aware that OH is paramount to the success of these restorations.
Ensure they’re aware that this will not last forever and you must make them aware of potential options when it does fail.
What is direct resin-bonded bridgework?
Apply bridgework directly chair side.
- useful in emergency situations when a tooth is extracted immediately or if the tooth is lost traumatically.
Ideally use the patient’s own tooth but can also use an acrylic denture tooth, polycarbonate crown or cellulose matrix filled with composite.
If you were using the patient’s own tooth for the direct resin-retained bridge, what would be the procedure?
Extract the tooth.
Cut off the root and remove any pulpal tissue.
Etch the contact point of the extracted tooth and add composite to the pulp chamber.
Etch the contact points of adjacent teeth.
Prime and bond the etched surfaces and place composite into the sides of the teeth that the tooth will bond to.
As a general, rule, what type of bridgework would you provide for an anterior and posterior tooth?
Anterior- cantilever
Posterior- fixed-fixed
Why are cantilever bridges more successful anteriorly?
Divergent guidance paths
Anteriorly, the longitudinal axis of the teeth are different as you move around the arch. So, the occlusal forces are directed down the long axis in different directions.
So if you were to put a fixed-fixed bridge in anteriorly, then there will be 2 different occlusal forces applied to the abutment teeth and will cause the bridge to jolt, causing it to move and potentially fall off or become loose.
When considering if you can use abutment teeth, what aspects would you be thinking about?
Periodontal health
Caries
Large restorations
Mobility
Over-eruption
Enough sound enamel present
If amalgam is present, then consider replacing to composite because it will not have a good bond to composite cement.
At least 1:1 crown:root ratio
Long bulbous roots- good root surface area.
What factors would you keep in mind when considering bridgework?
Patient’s preferences- a lot of patients prefer fixed pros work compared to removable
Age- usually avoid bridgework in older patients, think of biological age compared to chronological age.
Attitude to dentistry- OH, periodontal health, anxious patients
MH- Epilepsy, physical disabilities
Diet, smoking, cost.
How can you increase retention of a bridge?
Maximise available bonding surface area
Sandblasting fitting surface of wing
Cut grooves, rests, notches and locating margins
Incorporate rest seats to maximise bonding surface area and t direct axial forces.
What factors should you consider when deciding what bridge design to have?
Quality of bonding surface- do you have adequate enamel for bonding? Is there a large amalgam restoration present?
Quality of bonding procedure
Design of the retainer
Design of the Pontic
Occlusal management