Electrosurgery: a technique for achieving aesthetic and retentive resin-bonded bridges.

UNLABELLED: Resin-bonded bridges can provide an aesthetic option for fixed replacement of teeth. To achieve the appearance of a natural tooth, the pontic tooth must have the correct emergence profile. This paper describes the use of electrosurgery for tissue removal and ridge recontouring. The soft tissues overlying the edentulous ridge can be sculpted prior to resin-bonded bridge placement to improve the emergence profile of the pontic and the bridge's cleansability. Hyperplastic palatal gingival tissues can be excised to maximize bridge retainer coverage over the cingulum area. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Electrosurgery may be of value in improving the appearance and retention of a resin-retained bridge.