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Walter 2020
Walter 2020
Clinical Dentistry
Utility of measuring anterior-posterior spread
to determine distal cantilever length off a
fixed implant-supported full-arch prosthesis
A review of the literature
Leora Walter, DDS; Gary Greenstein, DDS, MS
ABSTRACT
Background. Historically, anterior-posterior (AP) spread assessments were often used to determine
the length that a distal cantilever could be extended off an implant-supported fixed full-arch
prosthesis.
Types of Studies Reviewed. The authors searched the literature for articles that used AP spread
to calculate cantilever size to be constructed off implants bearing a fixed implant-supported full-arch
rehabilitation.
Results. The data indicate that the relationship between AP spread and cantilever length is not
linear and many influences (such as beam theory, cantilever size differences in the mandible versus
maxilla, number and distribution of placed implants, prosthetic materials, and framework design)
need to be considered when computing cantilever length with respect to fixed implant-supported
prostheses.
Practical Implications. Recommendations using AP spread assessments to compute cantilever
lengths have not been validated by means of prospective scientific evaluations. Therefore, AP
spread evaluation is just one of many issues that need to be considered when determining distal
cantilever length associated with a fixed full-arch implant-bearing prosthesis.
Key Words. Anterior-posterior spread; AP spread; cantilever; dental implants; prostheses.
JADA 2020:151(10):790-795
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2020.06.016
A
nterior-posterior (AP) spread measurements are often used to determine distal cantilever
length that extends from an implant-supported fixed full-arch restoration.1-4 The concept of
using AP spread to calculate cantilever size was first proposed by English1 in 1990. He stated
that biomechanical principles need to be applied to ensure a successful restorative outcome when a
cantilever is supported by means of a full-arch fixed implant-bearing prosthesis. AP spread was defined as
the distance between a line connecting the distal of the most distal implants of a full-arch implant-
supported prosthesis and a line through the center of the most anterior implant (Figure). English1
suggested that a cantilever’s span could be 1.5 times the AP spread in the mandible. This was his
opinion, and it did not evolve from a vigorous scientific assessment. Other clinicians also failed to
provide systematic prospective evaluations to validate that AP spread measurements could be used to
compute distal cantilever lengths.2-5 Questions arise as to what evidence there is that AP spread can be
used to determine cantilever size and what other factors need to be considered to calculate cantilever
length off implants that uphold a full-arch implant-supported prostheses. This is an important issue
because failure to adequately plan cantilever length and provide sufficient support for this type of
construct can result in stress on a prosthesis, which can cause screw loosening, screw breakage, prosthesis
fracture, implant fracture, and implant de-osseointegration.5-10 Therefore, it was deemed important to
Copyright ª 2020
critically appraise the relationship between AP spread and other factors (such as differences in cantilever
American Dental
Association. All rights size in the mandible versus maxilla, number and distribution of placed implants, prosthetic materials, and
reserved. framework design) that affect the cantilever length off an implant-supported fixed full-arch prostheses.
METHODS
Articles included in this critical analysis of the literature related to AP spread and biomechanics of
cantilevers were found by means of searching PubMed, Ovid, Embase, Dentistry and Oral Sciences
Source, and Cochrane using the following terms “AP spread,” “anteroposterior spread” with “fixed
prosthesis,” “cantilevers,” and “biomechanics of cantilevers.” Relevant articles were hand searched
to determine whether additional articles could be included in this analysis. All 11 human clinical
trials found in the literature related to AP spread were included in this literature analysis and
critiqued. Therefore, no exclusion criteria were used to negate the usefulness of studies; rather, each
study was addressed and critiqued directly.
DISCUSSION
AP spread to determine distal cantilever length
Numerous authors have suggested the following amounts of AP spread that could be used to
determine distal cantilever size off an implant-supported fixed full-arch prosthesis: less than 1,9 1.5,1
2,3 and 2.5.4 Misch and Misch-Dietsh4 suggested that a 2.5 AP spread was possible when force
influences (for example, parafunction or crown to root ratio) are low and the prosthesis is well
supported (that is, adequate number of implants). Others advised cantilever length could be a span
of 2 through 3 premolars,11 less than 15 mm,5,12 15 through 20 mm,2,13 and 20 mm.6 However,
these recommendations concerning cantilever length are grounded in clinical experience and
retrospective assessments with respect to decreased numbers of prosthetic complications and not
prospective scientific evaluations to determine a precise relationship between AP spread and
cantilever length.
Class 1 lever system related to AP spread
There are biomechanical concepts that relate AP spread and cantilever length to lever systems. A
dental cantilever is a type 1 lever; the pivot (fulcrum) is between the applied biting force and the
occlusal load on a prosthesis.2 The occlusal load is computed by means of multiplying the biting
force times cantilever length. The fulcrum is the connector at the terminal abutment. The canti-
lever arm (effort arm) generates torque on the prosthesis and bending moments can form in 3
clinical axes (occlusoapical, mesiodistal, faciolingual).7,14,15
Researchers from several studies indicated that bending moments induced by means of load-
bearing cantilevers can increase forces 2 through 3 times on the supporting implants compared
with stresses normally detected on a single implant.7,14,15 As the length of the effort arm increases,
tensile, compressive, and shear forces increase stress on the prosthesis. To counteract these vectors, a
large resistance arm is needed (distance from the fulcrum to most anterior implant).2 To clinically ABBREVIATION KEY
accomplish this, anterior implants of a fixed full-arch restoration should be placed as anteriorly as AP: Anterior-posterior.
CONCLUSIONS
Historically, it has been suggested that the length of the cantilever extension associated with a full-
arch implant-supported restoration could be determined using AP spread.1 However, this was an
empirical decision rather than one established on rigorous scientific research. There are no scien-
tifically derived data that permit calculating cantilever length based solely on AP spread. Therefore,
cantilever length should be determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the
following factors: biomechanics, AP spread, bone quality in the maxilla versus the mandible,
number and distribution of implants, rehabilitation design, and prosthesis material.
With respect to fabricating a cantilever off implants supporting a full-arch fixed prosthesis the
following steps are suggested:
n consider the occlusal load when determining the size, number, thread design, and surface area of
implants to be placed and place enough implants to distribute the occlusal forces;
n maximize implant distribution to reduce the load per implant;
n maximize the AP spread;
n use a cross-arch splint design when working with a full-arch design;
n use rigid material for the framework;
n use an I-beam in cross-section for the framework;
n minimize cantilever length, especially in the maxilla.
The prosthesis should be monitored at regular recall visits to evaluate changes in the integrity of
the framework and the occlusion, especially at the cantilevered segment. Implants and surrounding
bone should be checked to ensure their osseous support has been maintained. Any anomalies to
prosthesis, bone, or implants should be treated accordingly. n
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