Post-Treatment Protocol

Abstract

The selected design of the tooth-supported overdenture (TSO) should be kept to the most hygienic and straightforward design, therefore avoiding adverse effects of complicated design on oral hygiene maintenance and increasing the plaque accumulation that may affect the survival rate of all teeth and supporting structures. When the supporting teeth are prepared, dentin tubules are faced with the oral environment. The dentin structure, which is closer to the pulp, is less calcified compared to the root dentin surface. Caries is the most common complication in TSO without coping. Using coping can help to prevent decay if the patient has sufficient oral hygiene and uses high-concentration fluoride or chlorhexidine. Endodontic treatment is necessary if a ring-shaped coping would be prepared when the absence of secondary dentin. Morrow et al. believed that to preserve the TSO abutments from caries, it was necessary to cover them with gold copings or rings. Gold copings increase the cost of TSO treatment and do not prevent caries formation unless the patient has good oral hygiene and uses a high concentration of fluoride or chlorhexidine fluoride gel.