The Encore Bridge
The Encore Bridge is indicated when there are two relatively healthy
teeth on either side of an edentulous space in the anterior.
An Encore
bridge is made by cutting bulky slot preparations into the two adjacent
teeth and then slightly reducing a large area of the lingual of these
teeth. An impression is taken and sent to the lab. The lab then makes a
resin framework that will insert into these slots and bond to the adjacent
teeth. The lab also makes a porcelain veneer that will then be bonded to
the facial of the framework after the framework is bonded to the teeth.
The result is similar to a Maryland Bridge, but it is entirely made of
tooth-colored material. The absence of any metal framework makes it very
aesthetic. The Encore Bridge is more aesthetic than a full bridge, and less expensive.
Its disadvantage is that the Encore Bridge technique is very demanding. Additionally,
there is a possibility of the bridge debonding.
Here is a
reference to a published study on the subject of the Encore Bridge: A
conservative aesthetic solution for a single anterior edentulous space:
case report and one-year follow-up.
(i.e. Encore Bridge)
Leal FR, Cobb DS, Denehy GE, Margeas RC.
United States Navy Dental Corps, 2D Dental Battalion/Naval Dental Center,
P.O. Box 8149, Camp Lejeune, NC 28547, USA. frleal@altglobal.net
Conservative solutions for the restoration of a single edentulous space in
the anterior maxilla present an aesthetic challenge to the clinician.
Treatment options for tooth replacement include implant placement, a
classical fixed partial denture, or a resin-bonded appliance with a metal
substructure or fiber-reinforced resin. The resin-bonded Encore Bridge (daVinci
Studios, Woodland Hills, CA) offers a restorative solution that is
conservative and aesthetic when compared to the required full-tooth
preparation in a conventional three-unit fixed partial denture. This case
report addresses the indications, preparation guidelines, and restorative
procedures for an Encore Bridge.
For the complete article,
please see the PubMed web site. More articles
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