Affordable Fixed Partial Dentures

For older patients, replacement of a missing anterior tooth with a semi-permanent composite resin restoration may be a low cost alternative to a conventional or resin bonded fixed partial denture. Fiber-Reinforced Composite Resin Fixed Partial Denture is an example of semi-permanent composite resin restoration. In Fiber-Reinforced Composite Resin Fixed Partial Denture, the resin is reinforced with carbon, graphite, glass, kevlar and other types of fibers.

Common techniques of fabrication of this type of FPD are:
1. Direct
2. Indirect

The direct technique comprises three clinical steps:
1. Basal part of pontic is built up with composite resin and polished.
2. The basal part of the pontic is bonded to the abutment teeth with the fibers and composite resin.
3. The pontic is again built up with composite resin and polished.

In Indirect technique, a framework is fabricated using glass or carbon fibers. This framework is used for the build up which is then bonded to the abutment teeth using composite resin. Advantages of this technique are:
1. Tooth replacement without preparation.
2. Clinical simplicity.
3. Reduced patient cost / Low cost.

Reference
Jorgensen E: Prosthodontics for the elderly, Quintessence Publishing Illinois 1999