title: Tapered cross-pin attachments for fixed bridges.
abstract: The design and fabrication of multi-unit fixed prostheses where abutment teeth are misaligned have been difficult technical challenges for dentists and dental technicians. There have been a number of methods developed to attain a common path of insertion, including modified preparation designs, telescopic copings placed on abutments to correct alignment, adhesively retained bridge frameworks, and mechanical precision attachments between sections of a segmented prosthesis. This paper describes a method of fabricating a precision attachment on a segmented prosthesis that can be rigidly fixed after cementation. The technique involves the use of a cast tapered pin to permanently attach the prosthesis segments together. All parts can be fabricated by conventional lost-wax techniques with a minimum of instrumentation. The technique has the added advantage of being reversible should the prosthesis ever need to be separated for repair or recementation.
authors.affiliation: American Dental Association Health Foundation, Paffenbarger Research Center, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899.
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Eichmiller
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Parry
mesh_terms: D003735:Dental Casting Technique; D003772:Dental Pins; D003834:Denture Precision Attachment; D003780:Denture Repair / Q000379:methods*; D003781:Denture Retention / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D006801:Humans