Partial edentulism and removable partial denture design in a dental school population: a survey in Greece

Abstract

To investigate the pattern of partial edentulism and the most frequent designs of cobalt-chromium removable partial dentures (RPDs), constructed at the Dental School of Athens, Greece. Five hundred and fifty-three patients, between 42 and 81 years old, mostly males, treated by undergraduate dental students, were included. The survey was based on visual evaluation of master casts and work authorisation to dental technicians. Aspects examined were: Kennedy Classification, modification areas, major connectors, clasping, placement of rest seats and indirect retention. Kennedy Class I was the most common encountered in the maxilla (50.5%) and in the mandible (70%). The most frequent major connectors were the lingual bar (92.6%) and the U-shaped palatal strap (54%). The most common clasp was the Roach (69.2%) in Class I and Class II. In Class III and IV, the most common was the occlusally approaching clasp (55% and 70%). The most frequent location of the rest was mesial of abutment teeth. On the average, 39.5% of Class I RPDs and 58.6% of Class II RPDs had indirect retainers. A combination of the two major philosophies of RPD design (biomechanical and hygienic) was evident in the RPDs examined in our study.