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Fracture of a fixed partial denture abutment: A clinical report

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prosdent.2004.10.009Get rights and content

Commonly observed complications associated with a conventional fixed partial denture (FPD) include loss of retention and tooth fracture. This report describes the occurrence of an unusual FPD abutment fracture and subsequent treatment. The distal abutment of an FPD developed severe periodontal disease with mobility. The anterior abutment fractured in the middle of the clinical crown and experienced cement failure.

Section snippets

Clinical report

A 69-year-old woman reported to the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School clinic with a chief complaint that the “bridge on the upper right side was loose.” The patient reported that the FPD had been inserted 12 years ago (Fig. 1). The FPD was found to be loose at the anterior abutment (maxillary right second premolar) but remained cemented on the distal abutment (maxillary right second molar). Clinical and radiographic examination revealed that the distal

Discussion

This clinical report describes the catastrophic failure of an FPD. The etiology was severe periodontal disease localized to the maxillary second molar that permitted excessive forces on the second premolar abutment. A biomechanical challenge was created when the excessively mobile distal abutment was rigidly connected to an abutment with only limited physiologic mobility. When an excessively mobile FPD abutment is subjected to an occlusal force, a torquing force is created on the other abutment

Summary

An FPD abutment may fracture or the cement within a retainer can fail when subjected to excessive forces. Fortunately, retrospective clinical studies of conventional FPD complications have concluded that abutment fracture of the type reported is infrequent.

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