Introduction to Fixed Prosthodontics
- Branch of prosthodontics focused on permanently affixed dental prostheses
- Examples include crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, and veneers
- Prosthodontists are dentists specialized in fixed prosthodontics
- Advantages include improved strength in large restorations and aesthetic appearance
- Selection of suitable repair involves consideration of materials, tooth destruction, placement, and neighboring teeth

Preparation Techniques and Dimensions
- Irreversible removal of tooth structure during crown preparation
- Restorations have impaired structural and functional integrity compared to natural teeth
- Treatment planning and recommendations may vary among dentists
- Crown and bridge work traditionally requires multiple visits
- Benefits of intervention generally outweigh the drawbacks
- Amount of tooth structure removal depends on the restoration material
- Full gold crown requires minimum tooth reduction of 0.5mm
- Porcelain application to gold crown requires additional 1mm of tooth structure removal
- Porcelain or ceramic crowns require 2mm of tooth reduction
- Insufficient tooth structure may require build-up material or post and core

Taper and Margin
- Prepared tooth needs a certain degree of taper for proper placement of the restoration
- No undercuts should be present on the prepared tooth surface
- Excessive taper limits the grip of the crown on the tooth
- Recommended taper is 3° around the entire circumference of the prepared tooth
- Combined taper of 6° provides proper fit and grip for the crown
- Margin is the most coronal position of untouched tooth structure
- Margin should be smooth and well-defined for proper adaptation of the restoration
- Acceptable distance from tooth margin to restoration margin is 40 to 100 nm
- Margin placement in aesthetic zone should be as apical as possible
- Violation of biologic width may occur if the margin is placed too subgingivally

Ferrule Effect
- Incorporation of the ferrule effect is crucial when restoring with a crown
- The crown should envelop a certain height of tooth structure to protect the tooth
- Similar to the grasping of bristles by a ferrule on a broomstick

Restoration Types
- Crowns are used to cover teeth and may be referred to as caps
- Teeth to be crowned are prepared by a dentist
- Dental technician constructs the crown using models and impressions
- Crowns can be made of gold, porcelain, or a combination of the two
- Zirkonia Oxide crowns are gaining popularity due to their translucency and durability
- Bridges are used to span edentulous areas by connecting to adjacent teeth
- Teeth supporting the bridge are called abutments
- Bridges can also refer to single-piece multiple-unit fixed partial dentures
- Part of the bridge replacing a missing tooth is known as a pontic
- Some cases may have several pontics for multiple missing teeth
- Inlays are restorations that lie within the cusps of teeth
- Considered more conservative than onlays or crowns
- Less tooth structure is removed during preparation
- Used when tooth destruction is less than half the distance between cusp tips
- Onlays cover, protect, or reinforce one or more cusps of teeth
- Indirect method for restoring teeth
- Used for extensive tooth destruction due to caries or trauma
- Provide more coverage than inlays
- Preserve more natural tooth structure compared to crowns