New technique for semipermanent replacement of missing incisors.

An investigation was carried out to study the efficiency of a new technique for semipermanent replacement of missing incisors. A flexible system allowing slight physiologic movement of the bridge units was created by bonding an acrylic tooth to the abutments by means of three orthodontic wires, as shown in Figs. 9 to 11. Between June, 1981, and December, 1982, fifty-three bridges of this type were inserted in a sample that was nonselected relative to overbite and overjet. It comprised fifty-one persons 10 to 22 years of age (mean, 16; SD, 3.9). During an observation period of 5 to 22 months (mean, 15; SD, 4.8) ten bridges came loose, giving a failure rate of 18.9% for the whole sample. All the loosened bridges were replacements for missing maxillary central incisors. The thirteen bridges replacing missing maxillary lateral incisors and two bridges inserted in the mandible functioned without problems. There was no correlation between failure rate and overjet and overbite. However, the functional occlusion was of importance. If there was antagonistic contact with the pontic during functional movements, the failure rate was 57.1%. If there was no such contact, however, the failure rate was only 5.4%. This difference was statistically significant. Accumulation of plaque was significantly higher around the abutments than on contralateral surfaces. However, no significant differences in gingival health were recorded. In two persons, dental caries was recorded on the abutment surface facing the pontic.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)