[Fixed restorations of a dentition with reduced periodontal support in partially edentulous patients]

Placing restorations in patients who have a limited number of teeth and reduced periodontal support is no longer controversial, given careful selection of patients, preprosthetic periodontal treatment, and a thorough maintenance program. In this paper, attention is drawn to general prosthetic planning, including the use of long-span bridges. Because of increased tooth mobility, cross-arch stabilization of the bridges with interlocks or with postsolder connections is advocated. The framework should be rigid enough to avoid deflection of the bridges. Preparation of the vital and nonvital abutment teeth needs much attention. To avoid using a removable prosthesis, a cantilever bridge can be used, but it makes the construction more prone to fracture. A number of periodontal-prosthetic patients demonstrate a "posterior collapsed bite." Rehabilitation requires the restoration at a "new" vertical dimension of occlusion. This can be done, without functional hazards, in a one-step clinical procedure. A long functional adaptation period is unnecessary. The treatment outcome of furcations is not always predictable. Therefore, hemisection or amputation are often the treatments of choice. On these hemisected roots, bridges can be made and successfully maintained. Finally, it should be stressed that not all teeth have to be replaced: a premolar, shortened-arch occlusion is often sufficient for adequate function.