Functional preprosthetic orthodontics and prosthetic reconstruction with resin-bonded fixed partial dentures

When a resin-bonded fixed partial denture is planned in the maxillary anterior region, special attention must be paid to occlusal diagnosis. Specific instrumental diagnosis is necessary to define the functionally important factors: the anterior teeth, the occlusal plane, the temporomandibular joint, and their three-dimensional relation. The optimal treatment in an anterior-guided occlusion is a complete integration of the retainers in the given tooth form without altering the original inclination of the palatal guiding surfaces of the anterior teeth. In many cases, preprosthetic orthodontics is indicated because of functional and esthetic reasons. The objective is to achieve an anterior tooth position that allows the retainers of a resin-bonded fixed partial denture to be incorporated with the designed inclination of the guiding surfaces, using noninvasive preparation techniques. Preprosthetic orthodontic treatment planning, possible problems, and limiting factors as well as the subsequent prosthetic reconstruction have been described in detail. The interdisciplinary treatment has to be planned individually for each patient, depending on the functional diagnosis and the clinical and anatomic situation.