Cast connectors as cores for ceramometal pontics on removable partial dentures and for splinting anterior crowns

A cast connector is a solderless union between two metal components, an alternative to soldering. Cast connectors depend upon mechanical retention for their strength and integrity and are mostly used in repairing or adding to prostheses cast in base metal alloys. Two techniques using cast connectors are described. One is for a removable partial denture that requires the replacement of an anterior tooth or teeth incorporating diastemas or unusual surface anatomy and color variations. Stock denture teeth may not adequately replicate such teeth. A solution to the problem is to extend a porcelain-compatible base metal cast connector from the removable partial denture framework onto the pontic site. A ceramometal pontic reproducing the unusual characteristics of the natural teeth may then be placed by vacuum-firing porcelain directly onto the framework. A second technique is described whereby multiple ceramometal anterior crowns may be splinted together by creating interproximal retentive zones in the frameworks, casting connectors into the retentive zones, and proceeding with porcelain application.