Evaluation of various prosthetic approaches in the Kennedy class III mod. 1 case by photo-elastic method. Section III Evaluation of fixed bridge dentures by means of force analysis

Abstract

What we expect from various types of dentures used in prosthetic dentistry is that they should produce data which are most similar to those of natural teeth in performing the chewing function and in speech, and that they should be applied in a way so that they will not be harmful to adjacent teeth and tissues with which they are in contact. This can only be accomplished by an optimal distribution of forces. In our study we applied fixed bridge dentures on our model manikins, made out of PHOTO-ELASTIC material, which conformed to the Kennedy Class III Mod. I case. With forces applied laterally and vertically on the dentures, differences in distribution of forces on abutment teeth and adject tissues were captured by photography. We have used the three-dimensional photo-elastic force analysis method which is one of the basic methods of experimental force analysis. This method is described in detail in the text. As a result of studies it has been demonstrated clearly upon analysis of force lines that the force applied both laterally and vertically on the fixed bridge dentures use on our photo elastic model manikins gets distributed in certain conformance to abutment teeth and adjacent tissues.