The effect of acrylic removable partial dentures on periodontal health of abutment and non-abutment teeth

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Background: Acrylic removable partial denture (ARPD) is a common treatment av a i lable for restoration of
partially edentulous ridges. Longitudinal studies ind icate that ARPDs have been associated with increased
gingivi t is , periodontitis and abutment mobility. The aim of the present study is to compare the effect of ARPDs on
periodontal heal th of abutment and non-abutment teeth.
Mater ial and method: A total of 30 patients prepared to wear ARPDs participated in thi s s tudy they were 14
males and 16 females aged 35 to 50 years. Plaque and gingival indices as wel l as bleeding on probing and
probing pocket depth were measured, both on abutment and non-abutment teeth immediately before placement
of the par ti a l dentures then 6 & 12 months after placement of the par t ial dentures.
Results: Significant differences were noticed on plaque and gingi val ind ices plaque index was 1.8 and 0.9 for
abutment and non -abutment respectively whi le gingival index was 1.8 and 0.8 at the end o! the study The
percentage of the surfaces of abutment teeth wi th bleed ing on probing was 32% and only 12% for nonabutment
teeth at the end of the stud) .Only 3% of the surfaces of non-abutment teeth denotes a pocket depth of
> 4mm and 14% for abutments at the end of the study . Non significant differences were found on bleeding on
probing and probing pocket depth between abutment and non-abutment teeth.
Conclusion: ARPDs can produce a lot of adverse effect on periodontal tissues due to the presence of foreign body
in the mouth and it's suppression to the natural cleansing mechanism. The patients most be instructed in appropriate
techniques of oral hygiene. ARPDs may be ind icated as in term or transitional prosthesis for a period not exceed 6
months.
Key words: Acrylic removable partial dentures, adverse effect, oral hygiene, and periodontal diseases. (J Bagh Coll
Dentistry 2010;22(3):80-82)