Eleven-year clinical performance of a mandibular natural tooth pontic bonded with modified tri-n-butylborane initiated adhesive resin

Abstract

This clinical report describes the bonding procedure and clinical course of a natural tooth pontic in a 65-year-old male patient. A mandibular lateral incisor was extracted due to severe marginal periodontitis. The root of the tooth was amputated and a pontic structure was formed by filling acrylic resin into the coronal pulp chamber space. The enamel surface of the pontic and the adjacent abutment teeth were etched with phosphoric acid gel. The pontic was bonded with a modified tri-n-butylborane initiated adhesive resin (Super-Bond Quick). The connecters fractured 11 years after bonding when the patient accidentally bit a metallic chopstick. Recurrence of the fracture, however, did not occur, and the re-seated pontic has been functioning for more than 1 year. Although proper maintenance of both the periodontal tissue and splinted dentition is required, this minimally invasive technique can be applied in selected patients suffering from periodontal diseases.