Rigid connectors between pontic and retainer are preferred way of fabricating fixed partial dentures for many decades as they provide desirable strength, retention and stability to the prosthesis. However, it is not ideal for cases such as lone-standing abutments (pier abutment), maligned teeth where occlusal stress can extrude the restoration. This may lead to marginal leakage and secondary caries on the abutment teeth. Conversely, it is recommended to use non-rigid connectors which act as a stress breaker, where the tensile stresses are concentrated on the surrounding bone and not on the connectors. With advancement in digital technology in dentistry, the non-rigid connectors can be fabricated using additive manufacturing technology. The present case report discusses the Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) designed fixed dental prosthesis with key and keyway (Tenon and Mortise) non-rigid connector for rehabilitation of pier abutment in maxillary posterior region.
Tag Archives: pier abutment
DOI: 10.2478/amma-2022-0033
Keywords: fixed dental prosthesis, non-rigid connectors, 3D printing, pier abutment, direct metal laser sintering
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Pier Abutment: Bridge the gap with Non rigid connector – A clinical case report
DOI: 10.2478/amma-2022-0008
Pier abutment is defined as a freestanding abutment with edentulous space on both sides. This case report described the rehabilitation of a patient who presented to the department with the primary complaint of missing teeth and difficulty in mastication. Intraoral examination revealed missing right maxillary canine and the second premolar, with the lone standing first premolar acting as a pier abutment. To reduce the stress transferred to the abutment and prosthetic assembly, a non-rigid (Tenon-mortise) connector was used in the case, with a keyway (mortise) distal to the pier abutment and a key (Tenon) mesial to the distal pontic.
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