Electrosurgery: A Technique for Achieving Aesthetic and Retentive Resin-Bonded Bridges

From Volume 35, Issue 6, July 2008 | Pages 371-376

Authors

Andrew RJ Elder

BDS MFDS RCS(Eng)

Specialist Registrar in Restorative Dentistry, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Bart's and the London NHS Trust, Prescot Street, London, UK

Articles by Andrew RJ Elder

Serpil Djemal

BDS, MSc, MRD, RCS, FDS (Rest dent), RCS Dip Ed

Consultant in Restorative Dentistry, King's College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, UK

Articles by Serpil Djemal

Abstract

Resin-bonded bridges can provide an aesthetic option for fixed replacement of teeth. To achieve the appearance of a natural tooth, the pontic tooth must have the correct emergence profile. This paper describes the use of electrosurgery for tissue removal and ridge recontouring. The soft tissues overlying the edentulous ridge can be sculpted prior to resin-bonded bridge placement to improve the emergence profile of the pontic and the bridge's cleansability. Hyperplastic palatal gingival tissues can be excised to maximize bridge retainer coverage over the cingulum area.

Article