Pier Abutments

Question 1

What’s a pier abutment?

Answer 1

A single tooth with edentulous spaces on both sides…

Here the ABUTMENT has to support Pontics on BOTH of its sides…

Question 2

Stress breaker or NON RIGID Connector stuff with the pier abutment…?

Answer 2

The forces acting on one end of the prosthesis… Will tend to LIFT the other end like a LEVER using the abutment as the FULCRUM….! So to prevent this a non rigid connector used…

The non rigid connector consists of a KEY ( MALE ) n A KEY WAY (FEMALE)…

The KEYWAY is placed on the DISTAL side of the PIER ABUTMENT….. N the KEY is placed on the MESIAL side of the DISTAL PONTIC (DISTAL Edentulous space)

i.e., non rigid connector is placed at the junction of PIER abutment n DISTAL PONTIC..

Question 3

C/I of Non rigid Connector?

Answer 3

Contraindicated when the pier abutment is opposing an edentulous space or RPD… (opposing means.. on the opposite arch)….

When the pier abutment is mobile… A non rigid connector is avoided… Go for Rigid…