ABSTRACT
AIMS: For the replacement of dental deficiencies when the difference in axis between the future abutment teeth is considerable and preparation of a fixed bridge-prosthesis is planned without the sacrifice of too much extra dental tissue, one possibility is to prepare fixed separated dentures with nonrigid connectors. METHODS: From 1999 to 2007, we prepared such dentures, initially using intracoronal retainers in accordance with the literature, after that we positioned the retainers extracoronally whenever this was possible. RESULTS: In 35 cases we prepared multi-unit fixed prostheses with a total of 43 retainers. These segmented prostheses could be fixed rigidly after cementation. All of them remain in place without any complaint. CONCLUSION: Fixed dentures prepared with extracoronal retainers proved safe and esthetic and extra dental tissue is not sacrificed.