Pin-retained composites for splinting lower anterior teeth

Abstract

Splinting of teeth follows a pattern of either a temporary type of splint or a permanent type of splint. The classic temporary splint is composed of wires which circumferentially engage the six lower incisors and impart a degree of rigidity and support to them, especially when the wires are stabilized with one of the unfilled resins.' These techniques often rely upon surface anchorage to enamel via the acid-etch method. The major disadvantage of this method is danger of fracture at the composite-enamel junction. Effective permanent splinting of lower anterior teeth may be accomplished by crowning the teeth or by anchoring them to a lingual plate of gold with pins. These pins may be an integral part of a gold casting,2. 3 or they may be screwed to the lingual gold plate.4. 5 To ensure permanence they are cemented to the teeth to convert them into a single rigid unit. The major disadvantages of the pin-retained casting are its expense and difficulty in fabrication. The method described in this article might b e classified as semipermanent. It involves the use of the acid-etch concept, composite resin, and interlocking TMS Minim pinst in the lingual embrasure (Fig. 1).