title: Rehabilitation of long-span Kennedy class IV partially edentulous patient with a custom attachment-retained prosthesis.
abstract: The rehabilitation of a patient in the Kennedy class IV situation demands biomechanical balance and aesthetic improvement. The long-span condition complicates the problem because of the unavailability of sufficient number of abutments to support the prosthesis. Conventional removable prosthesis and fixed partial denture are not advised for the same reason. This report describes a novel technique for the fabrication of a custom attachment to retain prosthesis. An acrylic resin removable partial denture (RPD) is retained by a custom attachment. The patrix part of the custom attachment is fabricated using molar bands, prefabricated circumferential clasp, and straight die pins. The matrix part of the attachment is constituted by the plastic sleeves of the straight die pins, which are embedded inside the tissue-fitting surface of the prosthesis. This article describes an inexpensive custom attachment for rehabilitating the long-span Kennedy class IV situation. The entire technique is reversible, inexpensive, and demands less skill compared to semi-precision and precision attachments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, KLE Viswanath Katti Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Pavithra Kumar
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, A. J. Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Bharath Y
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, A. J. Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Mayur
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hegde
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, A. J. Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Bharath M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Prabhu
keywords: Custom attachment; Kennedy class IV; long-span; rehabilitation