Providing Support for the Pontic of Natural Tooth Adhesive Bridges: A Clinical Report.

Abstract - Resin bonded bridges have become established as a treatment option for replacing missing teeth. Their development can be traced to the work of Rochette who used a macro mechanically bonded metal framework to stabilize mobile teeth. Adaptations of Rochette’s concept, using natural teeth as pontics, have been presented. The use of a natural tooth has aesthetic and psychological advantages for the patient. The high failure rate of natural tooth pontics may be explained by a lack of support for the tooth on the metal framework. A clinical report is presented to illustrate a previously unreported technique to improve pontic support.

KEY WORDS: Resin bonded, adhesive bridge, adhesive fixed partial denture, natural tooth pontic