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Placement of Fiber-Splint Tooth Stabilizing and

Reinforcing Material by Polydentia SA

Fiber-Splint tooth stabilizing and reinforcing material is an exceptionally thin glass band that

can be adapted close to the tooth, making it aesthetically pleasing and comfortable for the

patient.

The specialized material incorportes 3-micron fiberglass particles exhibiting a tensile strength

of 280kg/mm2 and a modulus of elasticity of 7,300kg/mm2. The standard technique for splinting

teeth using composite and acid etching also applies to this system.

If possible, the manufacturer suggests that no more than three teeth should be splinted

together and that each tooth to be splinted has sufficient enamel for etching, including the

interdental areas. Any interdental fillings or cavities already present can, if the dentist takes

care, be covered by the splint.

Other applications for the material include immediate restoration after extracting a single

anterior tooth from an intact dental arch, retaining totally or partially luxated teeth, replacing a

single anterior tooth in a periodontally involved dentition where the prognosis is questionable,

and reinforcement of temporary bridges.The materials required for splinting teeth with Fiber-Splint material are rubber dam, etching

gel, cavity liner, and a microfill or hybrid composite of choice. The technique follows:

Splint Preparation

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1. Thoroughly remove any plaque and calculus and clean the teeth to be splinted with a

nonfluoridated abrasive paste (Figures 1 & 2) 2. Apply rubber dam (Figure 3).

3. Etch the lingual and approximal areas of the teeth for 60 seconds. Remove the acid by

spraying it for 30 seconds and carefully blow the entire operating site dry (Figure 4).

4. Determine the length of Fiber-Splint material required, using either a piece of lead foil (Figure

5) or a calibrated periodontal probe.

Restorative Dentistry

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5. Cut approximately six strips of the correct length from the roll of material (Figure 6)

Splint Placement

1. Apply a thin coat of liner to the etched surfaces and air blow lightly to spread it. Note : To

maintain the position of very loose teeth, splint them slightly by applying small amounts of liner

interdentally and curing it.

2. Dispense a small amount of liner on a chilled glass slab and immerse the first strip. Note : The fluid must

soak completely into the fiber, and excess should be squeezed out onto the slab (Figure 7).

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3. Place the strip on the etched tooth surface and press it as far as possible into the interdentalspace

(Figure 8). Note : Take care that no air is trapped between the strips, tooth, and liner.

4. Cure the liner on each tooth separately and then cure the interdental spaces.

5. Apply and cure the remaining strips in the same manner. Depending on the space available,

four to six strips are usually applied.

6. If the creation of any number of interdental fiberglass "bridges" is desired, place small pieces

of fiber in the interdental spaces (from the buccal) and coat them with composite and cure.

7. Apply the final coat, which consists of a mixture of liner and low-viscosity composite, in a thin

layer to the oral surface and cure it. Note : This coating smoothes the roughness caused by the

fiber and makes the surface easier to polish (Figure 9).

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Splint Finishing1. If necessary, add composite to the buccal surface to improve the cosmetic effect.

2. Trim the splint, including the interdental areas, with diamond burs and then with discs.

3. Fluoridate the enamel of the splinted teeth and remove the rubber dam. Note : Any occlusal

high spots should be ground in and polished (Figure 10).

Case Study Results

For 70 splinting cases using this technique during the past eight years:

The splint remained permanently in place75%. To date, those splints have averaged

approximately four years in the mouth.

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The splint was replaced with a restoration such as telescopic bridgework10%.

The splint fractured after some time and, after attempting to renew it, was removed15%.

Immediate restoration after extracting a single anteriortooth from an intact dental arch.

The upper right central incisor must be extracted as it is periodontally involved (Figure 11). A

bridge could not be considered for economic reasons.

Following extraction, the incisor was reduced apically and secured in place during the same

appointment (Figure 12). The splinted tooth has been in situ for four years.

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Retaining totally or partially luxated teeth.

After total luxation, the upper left central incisor of a 6-1/2 year old boy has been splinted (Figure 13).

Note that only one third of the root growth has taken place.

One year after the splint was removed the incisor is firm (Figure 14) and orthodontic treatment is being

performed.

The fully luxated upper left central incisor and partially luxated upper right central incisor have

been splinted (Figure 15)

Once the splint had been removed, both teeth were physiologically mobile (Figure 16) and the

right central was slightly vital.

Replacing an unsatisfactory clasped denture with glass fiber

tape.

The missing lower left central incisor had been replaced with a clasped denture (Figure 17).

A single acrylic tooth was adhered into place with glass fiber tape (Figure 18).

A retentive groove was cut into the lingual surface of the acrylic tooth to increase retention (Figure 19).

A labial view of the acrylic tooth adhered into place (Figure 20).

More information about the Fiber-Splint technique can be obtained by calling (091) 9462948, or

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by writing to Polydentia SA, Strada Cantonale, CH-6805 Mezzovico, Switzerland.