Abstract
An implant-supported crown represents an established and validated option for single-tooth replacement; however, a restorative solution should be selected according to a wide number of factors including patient's desire, expectations, specific clinical conditions, and financial possibilities. The aim of this case report is to describe a conservative rehabilitation strategy for the replacement of a periodontally compromised mandibular incisor: the extracted natural tooth was used as a pontic bonded to adjacent elements with polyethylene fiber and resin composite. This way, a chairside fabrication of a resin-bonded fiber-reinforced prosthesis is possible, using the patient's own tooth. After showing a satisfactory functional and esthetic result, advantages and pitfalls of this technique along with available data on the literature regarding the natural tooth pontic are addressed. Both patients and clinicians should be aware of minimally invasive, successful solutions for single-tooth replacement; whether indicated or necessary, the natural tooth pontic technique leaves open other treatment options for the future.
Highlights
The replacement of a single missing or failing tooth presents one of the greatest challenges in restorative dentistry, especially when the esthetic zone is considered [1]
The application of Resin-bonded fixed partial dentures (RBFPDs) was extended to posterior areas about ten years later [5]
Compared to implant-supported solutions, RBFPDs are linked to short treatment times and lower postoperative morbidity and costs; surgical procedures are avoided [6]
Summary
The replacement of a single missing or failing tooth presents one of the greatest challenges in restorative dentistry, especially when the esthetic zone is considered [1]. The main available treatment options to this clinical problem include the use of traditional fixed dental prostheses (FDPs), implant-supported single crowns (SCI), and resin-bonded FDPs (RBFPDs) [2, 3]. Fiber-reinforced resin composites (FRC) have been widely adopted in dentistry [14], as direct materials to fabricate periodontal, posttraumatic, or orthodontic splints to stabilize teeth, and for indirect restorative purposes as well. A direct, intraoral fabrication of an anterior resin-bonded FRC prosthesis is possible using prefabricated pontics, a denture tooth, or an extracted natural tooth [17]. The aim of this study is to describe a conservative rehabilitation strategy for the replacement of a periodontally compromised mandibular incisor: the extracted natural tooth was used as pontic, precisely repositioned with a customized index, and bonded to adjacent elements with polyethylene ribbon and resin composite. An analysis of available data in the literature related to NTP and associated outcomes will be addressed
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