Tooth-supported cantilevered FDPs: a review

Despite developments in implant-supported prosthetic procedures, there are still cases treated with tooth-supported cantilevered FPDs. The aim of this study was to review the indications of these restorations and various factors which affect their success and longevity. Pubmed search was carried out in Medline from 1950 to 2010 using the following key words for the purpose of the present review: fixed partial denture, denture design, biomechanics and cantilever. Electronic search was supplemented with manual search. Subsequent to the review of titles and abstracts, 57 relevant articles was selected. The mean and standard deviation values for interalar width, intercanine tip distance, and the width of anterior maxillary teeth were 36.38 ± 3.81, 34.15 ± 2.05, and 48.23 ± 2.068 mm, respectively. There were significant relations between interalar width, intercanine tip distance and widths of the six anterior teeth. Tooth-supported cantilevered FPDs can be used as an alternative for distal extension RPDs, saving intact anterior abutment teeth (such as upper central incisors) and replacing multiple missing teeth with pier abutment. Three primary factors which should be considered carefully to optimize the prognosis of cantilevered FPDs are: abutment selection, control of occlusal forces and provision of connector rigidity.