Fundamentals of Fixed Prosthodontics. James C. Kessler
—, not included in study. *A complilation and interpretation of five clinical studies. †Average of survival rates for anterior, premolar, and molar crowns. †Inversely varied with no. of surfaces restored.
7 Treatment Planning for the Replacement of Missing Teeth
The need to replace missing teeth is obvious to the patient when the edentulous space is in the anterior segment of the mouth, but it is equally important in the posterior region. It is tempting to think of the dental arch as a static entity, but that is certainly not the case. It is in a state of dynamic equilibrium, with the teeth supporting each other (Fig 7-1). When a tooth is lost, the structural integrity of the dental arch is disrupted, and there is a subsequent realignment of teeth as a new state of equilibrium is achieved. Teeth adjacent to or opposing the edentulous space frequently move into it (Fig