The use of cast gold pinledge retainers with pontics as an esthetic and functional restorative option in the maxillary anterior.

A restorative technique for replacing congenitally missing lateral incisors was necessary when implants were not an option. Two three-unit bridges were considered but were rejected in favor of the much more conservative pinledge retainers. Only a relatively small amount of tooth structure was removed during the preparation of the canines, compared to the amount of reduction necessary for crown abutments. Maryland-type bridges (both all-ceramic and metal-based) also were considered but were rejected due to the tight occlusion and the need to prepare the lingual of both abutments in greater amounts than necessary for the thin gold castings. From an esthetic standpoint, there was a small amount of gold showing but not enough to bother the patient, his parents, or the dentist.