Soldering in prosthodontics--an overview, part I

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Prosthodontics
• Biomaterials Engineering

Background:

• The fit of multiunit fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) is a persistent clinical challenge.
• Poorly fitting FDPs can lead to mechanical failures such as abutment caries or screw loosening.
• Soldering and welding are established techniques to address misfit in FDPs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current state of art and science regarding soldering and welding of FDPs.
• To present background information, theory, terminology, and working principles of soldering.
• To focus on soldering principles and their impact on dimensional accuracy.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of dental materials and prosthodontics texts.
• Analysis of scientific data from laboratory studies up to 2009.
• Focus on soldering principles and dimensional accuracy in the context of FDP fabrication.

Main Results:

• Soldering has the potential to improve dimensional accuracy and reduce distortion in FDPs.
• Numerous variables influence the outcome of soldering techniques.
• Existing research projects are often limited in scope and disconnected.

Conclusions:

• Soldering can be a valuable technique for enhancing the fit of FDPs.
• Understanding the variables affecting soldering is crucial for predictable outcomes.
• Further research is needed to develop standardized guidelines and address limitations in current knowledge.