Safeguarding the pier abutment

Abstract

In certain partially edentulous cases, the pattern of missing teeth may lead to use of fixed partial denture on pier abutment. However, it has been reported that restoration of two missing teeth and an intermediate pier abutment with a rigid FPD is not an ideal treatment option. Using rigid connector in such situation leads to concentration of stresses on pier abutment. Pier abutment in such case acts as fulcrum leading to more debonding of fixed dental prosthesis which ultimately affects the success of fixed partial denture. Non rigid connector can overcome these problems. Non rigid connector transfers shear stresses to supporting bone & permits abutments to move independently. The non-rigid connector acts as stress breaker between retainer and pontic instead of usual rigid connector. This case report presents a simple method to rehabilitate pier abutment cases.