Replacement of Two Missing Adjacent Teeth with Two Single-Retainer Resin-Bonded Fixed Dental Prostheses with Improved Proximal Design

Purpose: To present a minimally invasive treatment approach for the replacement of two missing adjacent teeth with two single-retainer resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses (RBFDPs). Materials and Methods: Two missing adjacent premolars were restored by two RBFDPs with an innovative design of the proximal section. Both RBFDPs were digitally designed and milled from monolithic 3Y-TZP zirconia ceramic using CAD/CAM. Following construction of the anterior RBFDP, a shallow interlock was designed in the area of proximal contact in the same insertion direction as the posterior RBFDP. In this way, different paths of insertion of the RBFDPs could be provided without compromising the proximal hygiene capability. Results: The presented minimally invasive restorations were successful over 5 years of clinical observation without any complications. Conclusion: The presented restoration design secures the transversal position of the RBFDPs while maintaining physiologic tooth mobility. In addition, it allows for varying paths of insertion while improving hygienic conditions. Last, in case of a unilateral debonding of one retainer wing, rebonding might be possible. Int J Prosthodont 2023;36:155-160. doi: 10.11607/ijp.7711

Automated summary

This study presents a minimally invasive treatment approach for replacing two missing adjacent teeth with two single-retainer resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses (RBFDPs). The RBFDPs were digitally designed and milled from monolithic 3Y-TZP zirconia ceramic using CAD/CAM. The innovative design of the proximal section allowed for different paths of insertion without compromising hygiene.