Fixed partial dentures (FPDs) can be classified in several ways, including by location (anterior, posterior, complex), number of retainers (simple with 1-2 retainers, compound with more), material (metal, composite, ceramic), length of missing teeth span (short, medium, long), chronology (provisional, definitive, immediate placed after extraction), and number of retainers and teeth replaced (simple, complex). A simple FPD has only one missing tooth replaced and two abutment teeth, while complex FPDs replace two or more missing teeth. An immediate FPD is placed right after tooth extraction but intended as

1. INTRODUCTION
& TERMINOLOGY Bridge (FPD)
Part I: General Classifications
considerations

2.  According to the site, FPD is classified as:
- Anterior bridge :
* bilateral
* unilateral
- Posterior bridge
- Complex bridge

3.  Anterior FPD:
It extends only between the anterior teeth.
and it could be:
- Unilateral (two or three teeth bridge):
doesn't cross the midline.
- Bilateral (three or four teeth bridge):
involves teeth on both sides.

4.  Posterior FPD:
It extends only between the posterior
teeth.
 Complex FPD:
It extends at one of its terminals
beyond the canine.

5.  According to retention, FPD is classified
as:
- Simple bridge:
* Fixed- Fixed
* Fixed- Supported
* Cantilever
* Spring cantilever
- Compound bridge

6.  Simple bridge:
it is one single bridge, and it may be:
1- Fixed- Fixed bridge:
which is fixed at both ends to the abutment
teeth.
2- Fixed- Supported:
which is connected to one of the terminal
abutment teeth by a non-rigid connector to
allow some individual movements of the pontic.

7.  Simple bridge:
3- Cantilever bridge:
which is a free-end bridge, where the
pontic is fixed to and derives its support
from one or double retainers at one end only
and the other end is unsupported.
4- Spring cantilever bridge:
which is a cantilever bridge, where the
pontic is at the end of slightly resilient
curved arm deriving its support from an
abutment tooth remote from edentulous
space.

8.  Compound bridge:
it is a combination type of
bridge, contains more than one type
of simple bridge.

9.  According to material, FPD is classified as:
- Metallic:
* precious alloy
* semi precious alloy
* non precious alloy
- Combined:
* metallic with labial or buccal veneers
* metallic with full veneer
* non metallic with metal reinforcement
or framework (reinforced bridge).
- Non metallic:
*Reinforced bridge: which has a metal reinforced
* all resin, framework embedded within the porcelain or acrylic resin
and remained as a permanent part of the bridge
* all ceramic structure.

10.  According to the length of span, it is
classified as:
- short span >> one missing tooth
- medium span >> two missing teeth
- long span >> more than two missing
teeth

11.  According to the chronology of span, it is
classified as:
1- Provisional bridge:
to be used for varying period of time.
> Temporary bridge: used temporarily for
the protection of prepared teeth, till the
cementation of bridge is completed.
> immediate bridge: constructed before
extraction of teeth and seated in position
immediately after extraction at the same
visit.

12.  2- Definitive bridge:
to be used over an extended period of
time.
 According to the number of teeth missing and
the number of abutments, FPD is classified as:
- Simple > one missing tooth, two abutments
one on each side of the edentulous
area.
- Complex > two missing teeth, two abutments.
- Complex > two missing teeth, more than two
abutments.
- Complex > Pier abutment

13.  According to retention, what are the
types of the simple bridge?
Define each type.
What does immediate bridge mean? And does
it use for a long period of time?
Give a schematic view for the classification
of Fixed Partial Denture. (just names)