Classic ArticleFracture of a fixed partial denture abutment: A clinical report
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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Cited by (1)
How do I manage the fracture of an abutment tooth for a removable partial denture?
2015, Journal of the Canadian Dental Association