Justification of forming active prosthetic segments

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to examine the justification of forming active prosthetic segments on the abutment teeth for the incline of the elements of removable partial denture. Methods. The investigation was performed during 3-years observational period, at the Prosthodontic Clinics of Belgrade University Dental School, and the Military Medical Academy (MMA). During the mentioned observation period two groups of 200 patients with different kinds of edentulousness were analyzed, indicated for the design of metal frame removable partial dentures (MFRPD) with cast clasps. A total of 400 patients represented 50% of the sample chosen by random choice method for the determined observational period and dental institutions. Results. The evaluation of justification of the abutment teeth preparation was done during the analysis of the requirement of forming: guide planes, planes for occlusal rests, vestibular under cut, oral under cut. Conclusion. Upon the evaluation of the performed analyses the following can be concluded: during the composition of every MFRPD it is necessary to use at least two or more guide planes, depending on the type edentulousness of patients' teeth; formation of guide planes is performed in excessively high number of the abutment teeth (over 95%); during the composition of each particular MFRDP it is necessary to use as more occlusal rests as possible, at least 3, or more, which also depends on the type of patients' edentulousness; composition of the planes for occlusal rest has to be performed in almost all the patients (over 95% of the abutment teeth); vestibular planes of the abutment teeth should be prepared in over 50% of the used teeth; oral planes are prepared within the preparation of the abutment teeth for other active prosthetic segments. Conclusion. It is necessary to perform the composition of active prosthetic segments according to the plan established for the study models, both if the preparation of teeth for the adoption of MFRDP elements with clasps represents the use of an uninvasive, or an invasive dental method.