An investigation of the displacement of fixed bridges and their abutments under occlusal load in Monkeys (Macaca Fascicularis).

Previous investigations have established the displacement characteristics of the teeth under axial load in monkeys (Macaca Fascicularis). The methods employed in these investigations have been used to study the displacements under occlusal load of both conventional fixed bridges and cantilever bridges, having different numbers of abutments. Under axial load there was a reduction in displacement when two teeth were splinted together to act as abutments to a fixed bridge compared with the displacements of the individual teeth. Loading on the pontics of the cantilever bridges showed the greatest displacements and caused tipping forces in the abutments. Recommendations that a cantilever bridge should replace only one unit and have not less than two abutments are supported.