Presurgical prosthetic management of the periodontal patient--a modern adhesive approach
Scharf, J.
Alpha Omegan 87(4): 17-25
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-6417 PMID: 9470524 Document Number: 438374
The comprehensive management of the periodontal prosthetic patient requires that treatment be provided in a logical sequence; initial therapy, presurgical prosthetic management, surgical management of hard and soft tissue lesions, post-surgical prosthetics, followed by maintenance therapy. This article focuses on some of the most perplexing challenges encountered during the presurgical prosthetic management phase of periodontal diagnosis and therapy, including the stabilization of mobile teeth, the immediate replacement of teeth that require removal due to advanced attachment loss, and the correction of visual defects created by soft tissue loss. A number of creative treatment modalities are described that utilize silane-treated etched-glass fiber ropes and tapes (GlasSpan, GlasSpan, Inc.) for the internal reinforcement of periodontal splints and for the attachment of composite and natural tooth pontics as transitional tooth replacements. Gingival-colored composite (Gingiblend, Jeneric Pentron) and its importance as a diagnostic aid during the early stages of periodontal therapy and as an esthetic permanent restorative material are also examined.