Survival and complications of unconventional fixed dental prosthesis for maintaining diastema and splint pathologically migrated teeth: A case series up to 8 years follow-up

Abstract

Spacing in dentition negatively interferes with harmony of the smile. A lot of literature has been devoted to prosthetic closure of such space(s) in the dentition; however, the only option for maintaining space(s) in tooth-supported fixed dental prosthesis (FDP) is with the aid of loop connectors. Eleven patients (seven males and four females) with mean age of 45.18 years (range 22-70 years), previously treated with porcelain fused to metal full coverage restorations joined with loop connectors, were evaluated clinically to assess the clinical status and longevity of treatment provided. All the patients were asked to fill a simple close-ended questionnaire to provide their perspective on the limitations and outcome of the treatment and rate their satisfaction level on the scale of 1-10. The cumulative survival of the FDPs with the aid of loop connectors was 90.9%. There was no reported esthetic failure and, at the time of responding to the questionnaire, none of the patients had active complaint with respect to the prosthesis and all but one of the patients were satisfied with the treatment provided. Clinical survivability and the patient feedback suggests that customized designing of loop connectors for each patient is an excellent treatment modality to successfully maintain excessive (single/generalized) spacing between teeth and effectively splint pathologically migrated and mobile teeth. The reported problems with this treatment option are all transient in nature.

Esthetic rehabilitation utilizing concept of golden percentage and loop connectors: A clinical report

“…6 The indications for loop connector include maintenance of diastema, presence of excessive mesiodistal pontic space, prosthetic restorations for pathologically migrated and periodontally weak abutments. 7 The esthetic proportions and its correlation with dentogenic concept based on sex, personality and age of the patient is one of the major factors that should be considered while designing of restorations. The most accepted proportion for esthetic restorations is golden percentage.…”

“…The clinical survivability and longevity of loop connectors in 08 years follow up has been observed to be around 90.0% and it has been accepted as a viable treatment option for maintenance of diastema. 11…”

Prosthodontic rehabilitation of a patient with aggressive periodontitis

“…Hence, due consideration should be given when designing the loop connector. The cumulative survival of porcelain fused to metal full coverage restorations joined with loop over a period of 8 years was 90.9% and fracture of the loop connector did occur in a patient due to narrow diameter of the loop 8. Also, connector geometry affects the strength of ceramic materials 9 10.…”

Loop connectors in dentogenic diastema

“… Patient wishes to maintain the diastema Presence of the excessive pontic space Multiple joined prosthetic restorations in clinical situations with presence of localized or generalized spacing between abutments Prosthetic restorations for pathologically migrated and peridontally weak teeth. [ 4 ] …”