Emergency direct/indirect polyethylene-ribbon-reinforced composite resin, fixed partial denture: a case report

Gas-plasma-treated, woven polyethylene fabric to reinforce heavily filled composite resin was used to fabricate a direct/indirect fixed partial denture to esthetically replace a missing maxillary central incisor for a 12-year-old boy. The patient and his parents were interested in using a fixed prosthesis as an interim space-maintaining restoration, which would boost the patient's self-esteem. The technique used was an amalgamation of old concepts and new procedures that enable general dentists to expeditiously and inexpensively replace missing teeth. This relatively noninvasive and basically reversible procedure allows the patient to ponder the final restoration as he or she goes through growth, development, and maturation of the hard and soft tissues.