Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to George E Bambara.
Attachments are rigid or resilient connectors that redirect the forces of occlusion. Attachments have been used in dentistry for more than 100 years, and have provided dentists with a means for protecting weak abutment teeth, preserving soft tissue, maintaining physiologic occlusion and enhancing patient satisfaction and comfort.
The article summarizes how, as general dentists, we can incorporate attachment dentistry into our daily practices. Most importantly, it speaks of why we should be considering using this modality in our treatment planning of fixed and removable prosthetics. Partial dentures should do more than just replace teeth. Special consideration has been taken to preserve soft tissue and protect weak aboutment teeth as well as to achieve a cosmetically pleasing result. This requires planning for success and results in a win-win situation for the patient and the dentist. The article discusses the segmentation of fixed prosthetics that considers healthy physiologic tooth movement in the initial planning stages.