[Removal of fixed partial dentures without destruction, our experience with the KaVo CORONAflex crown removing...

Removal of fixed, cemented restorations is a great challenge for dental practitioner in the everyday activity. After all, prosthodontic textbooks cover only briefly the destructive methods of fixed restoration's removal and does not deal with other techniques. In many cases--i.e. at fracture of porcelain that can not be repaired in the mouth, or loosening of one anchor in a multi-unit bridgework--it would be necessary to remove the bridge without destruction. Only few literature data is available on this topic. From 1998 we have made an attempt with the KaVo CORONAflex instrument to remove various types of fixed restorations without destruction. The indication of removal, the material of the bridge, location of abutment teeth in the dental arch and success of the removal were documented in each cases. From the 81 fixed prostheses 61 were successfully removed without any destruction. Sixty two of the restorations were porcelain fused to metal; 19 of them were cast restorations with acrylic resin facing (single crowns or bridges). In most of the cases the removal of the fixed prostheses was successful without any damage, and consequently remaking of the restorations was not necessary. In this way the additional stresses associated with the patients' dental treatment could be avoided and also time and dental as well as laboratory fees could be spared.