Free-end pontics used on fixed partial dentures

Abstract

This is a progress report of our endeavors to investigate a type of fixed partial denture in which one or more cantilevered pontics have been soldered to one or more natural teeth. These teeth have been joined together to form a splint by means of metal castings covering their crowns and soldered to each other. By eliminating the necessity of inserting a removable partial denture with free-end bases, the type of fixed partial denture just described minimizes the damaging effects of attempting to stabilize a tissue-borne appliance by attaching the denture to rigid nonyielding natural teeth and a movable yielding base. The beneficial effects of the fixed partial denture with the cantilevered free-end pontic, from the point of view of the periodontal tissues, mouth hygiene, and patient psychology have also been considered. Explanations have been given for the fracture of natural tooth crowns and the loosening of abutment castings owing to the application of pressures on the cantilevered pontics and the dissipation of the forces which these pressures release. Methods of protection against these unfavorable leverages by means of construction, design, and tooth preparation have been presented.