Prosthetic contingencies for future tooth loss.

Possible contingencies for future natural tooth loss that can and should be built into prostheses have been reviewed. These contingencies provide a measure of security to the patient and the dentist when attempting to maintain teeth that appear to have a guarded prognosis. Without a contingency these questionable teeth would be extracted early in therapy from fear that a completely new prosthesis would have to be made if they were lost at a later time. In maintaining more natural teeth, the patient has better function, more occlusal and vertical support, longer maintenance of the alveolar ridge, more support for the prosthesis, and more remaining teeth to share all the forces. This approach of building in contingencies for future tooth loss allows the patient and the dentist the freedom to attempt therapy on abutments with a guarded prognosis with little financial risk.