[The preprosthetic treatment focusing on single- or multi-unit fixed dental prostheses]

The preprosthetic treatment is a phase of the so-called patient-centred oral healthcare cycle. The goal of the preprosthetic treatment is the elimination of pathological conditions and of uncertainties and risks to the greatest extent possible. Teeth in a reduced occlusal system can be distinguished functionally as strategic, non-strategic, and undesirable. The most important objective of the preprosthetic treatment is to establish a positive prognosis for the strategic teeth. Specific aspects relevant to the preprosthetic treatment are: referral to a specialist, requesting a second opinion, inserting 1 or more oral implants, transitional treatments, and occlusal adjustments. Subsequently, the preprosthetic treatment is evaluated to assess whether healthy circumstances have been established for the intended treatment with single- or multi-unit fixed dental prostheses.