Leonard A. Mueninghoff

Management of the endodontically treated tooth. Part I: Concept for restorative designs

The first premise is that not all teeth treated endodontically will require posts, cores, or crowns (Fig. 1). Despite small proximal restorations, most pulpless anterior teeth with sound coronal tooth structure can be conservatively restored with lingual composite restoration. The concept that all anterior teeth that have received root canal therapy require posts and crowns is not supported by recent studies. Trabert et a1.14 concluded that there is no appreciable difference in the resistance to fracture between untreated anterior teeth and endodontically treated anterior teeth. Guzy and Nicholls3 compared failure loads on intact endodontically treated maxillary central incisors and maxillary and mandibular cuspids with and without posts. They concluded that there was no

Mechanical properties of a light-polymerizing provisional restorative material with and without reinforcement fibers

Interim restorations are vulnerable to inadvertent fracture during mastication. Autopolymerizing acrylic resins have traditionally been selected for fabrication of provisional restorations. Triad light-polymerizing tooth-colored acrylic resin was recently introduced as an alternative material for this procedure. This material does not contain methyl methacrylate monomer and permits an increased working time. Heavy occlusal forces may initiate cracks within these restorations, and propagation of these cracks may ultimately lead to failure. Various forms of reinforcement fibers are available and are marketed for strengthening dental resins used for provisional restorations. Investigators have demonstrated that the mechanical properties of acrylic resins may be improved with the incorporation of reinforcing fibers, but a published evaluation of fiber-reinforced light-polymerizing provisional restorative materials is lacking. This investigation recorded and compared two mechanical properties of one light-polymerizing provisional restorative material with and without incorporation of vertically and horizontally oriented woven, matted, polyethylene fibers. No significant difference in modulus of rupture was recorded between groups with and without fibers. The mean flexural elastic modulus of the group with the horizontally oriented fibers was significantly greater than the mean flexural elastic modulus of the specimens without incorporated fibers.

Rapid mixing of zinc phosphate cement for fixed prosthodontic procedures

This study was done to determine the efficacy of rapidly mixing zinc phosphate cement in conjunction with fixed prosthodontic procedures. Properties measured included rate of pH change and temperature increase, film thickness, and setting time. The rapid mix technique in conjunction with the frozen glass slab resulted in a faster elevation of the pH but slightly greater temperature rise and film thickness. As was expected, the rapid mixing procedure resulted in an increased working time but decreased setting. On the basis of this study, it appears that the rapid mixing technique in conjunction with a frozen glass slab is an acceptable technique for preparing zinc phosphate cement for fixed prosthodontic procedures.

Fixed-removable partial denture

Abstract The technique and rationale have been presented for the fixed-removable partial denture. This type of denture has qualities of both the fixed partial denture and the removable partial denture and is indicated where the abutments would support a fixed partial denture but a severe defect is present in the edentulous space.

Application of silica coating technique for removable prosthodontics. A clinical report

A technique for constructing a maxillary removable partial overdenture using the Silicoater system has been described.

Fixed partial dentures opposing complete dentures

When fixed partial dentures are indicated in an arch opposing a complete denture, it is best to develop the occlusal surfaces of the fixed restorations at the same time that the opposing denture teeth are arranged in wax to permit greater flexibility and reduce the compromise in developing bilateral balanced occlusion. This article describes the development of bilaterally balanced occlusion between casting patterns for fixed partial dentures and a complete denture. The technique emulates the ease of arranging maxillary and mandibular denture teeth and can be used to develop fixed restorations with metal or porcelain occlusal surfaces. Porcelain occlusal surfaces are described because the use of porcelain is more technique sensitive.