Periodontal and Prosthetic Conditions in Patients Treated with Removable Partial Dentures and Artificial Crowns: A Longitudinal Two-Year Study

Abstract

In the present longitudinal study the periodontal and prosthetic conditions in 30 patients treated with removable partial dentures and artificial crowns were followed over a period of 2 years. The patients were given individual instructions in oral and denture hygiene and adequate periodontal treatment before the prosthetic therapy was started. The removable partial dentures were carefully planned and designed. The patients were regularly checked, and necessary instructions, scaling and prosthetic corrections were undertaken. The patients cooperated excellently and no significant deterioration was found in the clinical periodontal status of the remaining teeth. Only a few carious lesions were registered. The present study does not support the opinion that a removable partial denture per se will cause periodontal and carious lesions. When teeth with artificial crowns were examined regarding the position of the crown margins it was found that clinically observable gingival inflammations tended to be greatest when the crown margins were subgingivally located. Some deterioration of the removable partial denture occurred during the two-year follow-up concerning preferably occlusion, articulation, stability and clasp retention.