Description
Introduction: removable partial dentures are one of the options to be considered when it comes to the oral rehabilitation of edentulous spaces. In order for this type of rehabilitation to succeed, it is crucial to carry out an accurate planning and design of the prosthesis, so that traumatic, inflammatory or infectious lesions in the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity may be avoided. Objective: to evaluate whether the use of removable partial dentures has any influence regarding the periodontal condition of the abutment teeth when compared to the periodontal condition of the remaining teeth. Materials and Methods: a cross-sectional, longitudinal observational study was carried out based on a sample of patients rehabilitated with removable partial dentures, between 2010 and 2013, at the University’s Clinic of UCP. In these patients, a questionnaire and a clinical examination were carried out aiming to collect data on the following periodontal variables: probing depth (PD), gingival recession (GR), plaque index (PI), tooth mobility (TM) and gingival index (GI). The data collected were subjected to a descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, considering the null hypothesis that the periodontal condition of the abutment teeth is not affected by the use of a removable partial denture. Results: Of the 54 patients who were contacted, 35 patients (64.8%) with a mean age of 63.0 ± 10.63 agreed to attend a maintenance appointment. The most prevalent type of edentation in the maxilla was Kennedy's Class II and Kennedy's Class I in the jaw. In the periodontal analysis carried out in 2017, it was shown that the abutment teeth with circumferential retainers presented worse periodontal values for probing depth and gingival recession, whereas the teeth with bar retainers presented higher values of probing depth, gingival recession and plaque index. In the remaining teeth there was an increase in probing depth, gingival recession, plaque index and gingival index. A statistically significant association was not established between the abutment teeth with circumferential retainers and the abutment teeth with bar retainers, so it was not possible to determine which type of retainer caused more changes regarding the periodontal variables. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, it was possible to conclude that there was a worsening of the periodontal condition of the abutment teeth of removable partial dentures, regardless of the type of retainer. However, there was also a worsening of the periodontal condition of the remaining teeth in all periodontal parameters, with the exception of mobility. The fact that the quality of the prosthesis was worse in the last evaluation may have influenced these results.Period | 13 Dec 2017 |
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Held at | Universidade Católica Portuguesa |
Degree of Recognition | Master |
Keywords
- Removable partial dentures
- Abutment teeth
- Periodontal variables
- Periodontal disease