All-porcelain anterior fixed partial denture: a preliminary report

Replacement of missing lateral incisors with lithium disilicate glass-ceramic veneer-fixed dental prostheses: a clinical report

Key Clinical Message

This report describes the use of lithium disilicate glass-ceramic veneer-fixed dental prostheses in replacing congenitally missing maxillary lateral incisors. This kind of prosthesis has an advantage over a lingual-retainer resin-bonded fixed dental prosthesis in its capability of changing the color and shape of the abutment teeth. The prostheses provided an acceptable esthetics and comfort for the patient.

The Carolina Bridge: A Novel Interim All-Porcelain Bonded Prosthesis

Numerous bonded bridge designs have been advocated over the years for the temporary or permanent replacement of missing teeth. Both metal and all-porcelain designs of bonded bridges have been advocated, with varying degrees of success. However, all of these designs involve some degree of tooth preparation, making them irreversible in nature. The Carolina bridge, a novel all-porcelain bonded pontic, requires no significant tooth preparation, making it an outstanding option as an interim prosthesis. The key to success is the availability of adequate surface area interproximally to ensure optimally strong resin composite connectors.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

This article describes the indications, contraindications, and clinical technique for the placement of an ultraconservative all-porcelain bonded bridge for the interim replacement of single incisors.

Influence of water storage and thermal cycling on the fracture strength of all-porcelain, resin-bonded fixed partial dentures

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of water storage and thermal cycling on the fracture strength of two designs of all-porcelain, resin-bonded fixed partial dentures made with the glass-infiltrated alumina ceramic In-Ceram. Forty frameworks of In-Ceram ceramic veneered with Vitadur-N porcelain were made to replace an upper central incisor bonded to extracted natural teeth. In 20 of the restorations the pontic was veneered only labially with Vitadur-N porcelain and no proximal box preparations were made (design A). The other 20 restorations had additional box preparations proximal to the pontic and the In-Ceram ceramic pontic framework was shifted to the labial aspect and veneered circumferentially with Vitadur-N porcelain (design B). Subgroups of 10 restorations were stored for 7 days in thymol solution or alternatively for 150 days in artificial saliva with thermal cycling for 18,750 cycles between 5 degrees and 55 degrees C. Restorations with design B had a statistically significantly higher fracture strength than restorations with design A. Storage in artificial saliva with thermal cycling significantly reduced the fracture strength of the resin-bonded In-Ceram fixed partial dentures. Therefore, the long-term clinical behavior of resin-bonded In-Ceram fixed partial dentures must be evaluated before general clinical use can be recommended.

Alternative alloys for resin-bonded retainers

Traditionally, resin-bonded fixed partial dentures have been made with nickel-chrome-beryllium alloys and cemented with conventional resin luting cements. However, alternative alloys for resin-bonded retainers offer improved physical and biocompatible properties, and resin-metal bond strengths twice that of traditional methods can be achieved. The superior bonds obtained with etched base metals bonded with adhesive resins and silica-coated alloys bonded with silane-coupling agents make these the most desirable techniques available.

Report of the Committee on Scientific Investigation of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry

Dental research continued to grow during 1988. Unfortunately the quality does not always parallel the quantity of publications. This report obviously does not encompass all of the literature but focuses on studies that are related to trends and to matters that are considered controversial. Likewise the particular interests of the members of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry were taken into consideration. The subjects covered include periodontics, preventive dentistry, bulp biology, craniomandibular disorders, ceramics, color in restorative dentistry, and dental materials.