Posterior fibre-reinforced bridges: a reproducible clinical protocol for tooth replacement

Posterior fibre-reinforced bridges (FRBs) offer a conservative and cost-effective alternative for tooth replacement, particularly in cases where implants or conventional prostheses are not feasible. Despite their clinical potential, inconsistent techniques and the lack of standardised protocols have limited broader adoption. The aim of this article is to present a reproducible, clinically grounded protocol for direct posterior FRB fabrication, integrating strategic cavity design, appropriate fibre selection, and biomechanically guided fibre placement. The technique incorporates the Hugging Mylar Band Technique, which allows single step pontic fabrication and enhances cervical surface smoothness in areas that are difficult to polish, with potential implications for hygiene maintenance and workflow efficiency. The protocol is grounded in current scientific literature and refined through extensive clinical experience over more than a decade, offering a structured, aesthetic, and biologically conservative restorative solution. Although long-term survival outcomes for posterior FRBs remain variable, this protocol aims to improve clinical consistency by standardising the key biomechanical principles involved.