THE ESTHETIC INFLUENCE OF CORONAL-RADICULAR RECONSTRUCTIONS

The problems posed by the non-vital tooth has been studied for many decades. Some factors are presently known to contribute to long-term success. Thus, the loss of tooth substance, the tight seal of the restoration, and the solely retentive role of the post, are determinant factors. The coronal-radicular reconstruction may be performed directly on the tooth, or, as in the indirect technique, in the form of an inlay core fabricated in the laboratory. In the case of direct restoration, the post may be either made of metal, made of titanium, or of carbon or glass fiber. The indirect restorations may be either inlay cores of metal, metal with ceramic, or ceramic, or composite. The coronal-radicular restoration may contribute to the esthetic integration of a prosthetic restoration. The choice is made according to the position of the cervical limits, the type of periodontium involved, the size of the space which will accommodate it, the tooth colorations, and the type of crown, but, above all, on the indication for the specific type of coronal-radicular reconstruction. When the available space is wide, the periodontium fine, and the tooth colored, it is wise to avoid a metallic inlay core.