title: Variations in bridge construction in commercial laboratories.
abstract: Identical working models for the construction of a porcelain bonded to metal three unit fixed bridge were sent to 30 different commercial dental laboratories in the United Kingdom. The material was sent from general dental practice addresses with the implication for treatment under the National Health Service. Each bridge on its return was examined for acceptability using subjective criteria based on clinical and technical factors. There was a wide variation between bridges which gave cause for concern. Lack of a satisfactory prescription for the laboratories to work to must have played a part in this variation. However, it is stressed that the prescription used in this work was deliberately chosen as representative of that which may be used by clinicians.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Sheffield School of Clinical Dentistry, Charles Clifford Dental Hospital.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Winstanley
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Northeast
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Van Noort
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D003116:Color; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007754:Laboratories, Dental / Q000592:standards*; D011786:Quality Control; D013674:Technology, Dental / Q000592:standards*; D006113:United Kingdom