Immediate fibre-reinforced composite bridges with socket preservation: part 1

Immediate fibre-reinforced composite bridgework, when coupled with various socket preservation techniques, can offer a practical and compassionate approach to helping patients who lose a visible front tooth when they are at their most emotionally vulnerable time. It can usually be done in under an hour, using readily available materials and average clinical skills. The detailed step-by-step protocol described avoids the delays, costs and complications of just making a bulky, loose, plastic denture and allowing the invaluable socket bone to disappear. Different longer-term treatment options can still be provided, but the approach outlined can provide a ‘satisficing’ outcome reasonably quickly and at modest cost for patients at their psychologically most vulnerable time. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Knowledge of the rationale and practical steps in providing an immediate fibre-reinforced bridge is clinically valuable.