Intracoronal Tooth Splinting Using Fiber-Reinforced Composite and Silicone Palatal Index: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Tooth mobility is a common problem in dentistry and usually occurs due to periodontitis. Mobile tooth can often be treated using dental splinting to avoid extraction. Fiber-reinforced composite is widely used to splint tooth, but it is difficult to be placed neatly and interferes mastication. Nowadays, fiber-reinforced splint is placed using silicone palatal index and planned using wax-up methods.
 Objective: To illustrate the features and clinical applications of splinting fiber-reinforced composite using silicone palatal index.
 Case Report: An elderly female with significant bone loss on the maxillary central incisor on left side was treated. A die cast was shaped and contoured using wax-up method to adjust a good occlusion with the opposite tooth. The silicone palatal index was made using clear polyvinyl siloxane above the wax-up. A fiber-reinforced splint was placed on the palatal surface of the maxillary anterior teeth from 11 to 23 using silicone palatal index.
 Results: The silicone palatal index ensured predictable final contour and the position of fiber splint. This method provided promising results to achieve good occlusion and masticatory comfort.
 Conclusion: Silicone palatal index represents a useful tool for fiber-reinforced splint on maxillary teeth in periodontally compromised patients. Planned occlusion are necessary to reduce trauma occlusion and risk of breakage.
 Keywords: chronic periodontitis, intracoronal splint, fiber-reinforced composite, silicone palatal index