PubMed2004
Theoretical and clinical studies of resistance form are reviewed, supporting the basic prosthodontic principle that resistance form is an essential element in preparation design. Concepts of the"on-off" nature of resistance form, its application in guidelines for minimally acceptable preparation taper, and the controversy over whether there is a relationship with clinical success or failure are discussed. It is more challenging to obtain resistive molar preparations than resistive anterior preparations, and uneven preparation margins can make parallel 0 degree taper preparations lack resistance form. The usefulness of grooves, especially in molar preparations with uneven margins, is illustrated. The Lewis and Zuckerman techniques for evaluating resistive areas of a preparation are shown to be consistent with each other but not with the Weed method.