Fixed partial denture

Definition

A partial denture that is cemented to natural teeth or roots which furnish the primary support to the prosthesis- GPT. A restoration or replacement which is attached by a cementing medium to natural teeth, roots, implants- GPT.

Indications

• Short span edentulous arches
• Presence of sound teeth that can offer sufficient support adjacent to the edentulous space.
• Cases with ridge resorption where a removable partial denture cannot be stable or retentive.
• Patient’s preference
• Mentally compromised and physically handicapped patients who cannot maintain the removable prosthesis.

Contraindications

• Large amount of bone loss as in trauma.
• Very young patients where teeth have large pulp chambers.
• Presence of periodontally compromised abutments.
• Long span edentulous spaces.
• Bilateral edentulous spaces, which require cross arch stabilization.
• Congenitally malformed teeth, which do not have adequate tooth structure to offer support.
• Mentally sensitive patients who cannot cooperate with invasive treatment procedures.
• Medically compromised patients (e.g. leukemia, hypertension).
• Very old patients.
• Distal extension denture bases as in class I and II cases.

Components of FPD

Crown

• It is a cemented extracoronal restoration that covers or veneers the outer surface of the clinical crown. The primary function of a crown is to protect the underlying tooth structure and restore the function, form and aesthetics.
• If the prosthetic crown covers all five surfaces of the clinical crown it is referred to as a Full veneer crown (FVC).
• If the prosthetic crown does not cover the entire clinical crown, it is referred to as a Partial Veneer Crown (PVC).

Retainer

• A crown that is used as a part of the fixed partial denture for retention and support from the abutment tooth is called as a Retainer.

Abutment

• It is any tooth, root or implant which, gives attachment and support to the fixed partial denture.

Pontic

• The artificial tooth that replaces a missing tooth in a fixed partial denture is called a pontic. Pontics are attached to the retainers. All forces

acting on the pontic are transferred to the abutment through the retainers.

Connectors

• It is the connection that exists between the pontic and retainer. They may be rigid or non-rigid.
• Rigid connectors are immovable attachments between the pontic and retainer. Example: Solder joints.
• Non-rigid connectors are movable attachments with a key-keyway mechanism. Example: Precision attachments (stress breakers).

Fixed partial denture Resources
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