[Prosthetics and prevention of periodontal diseases]

This paper gives a survey of the present knowledge regarding prosthetical treatment under the aspects of preventing periodontal disease. This survey is based on the German publications mainly of the past ten years. In the beginning, the prevention of periodontal disease is weighed against the requirements of caries prophylaxis. Then the requirements of periodontal hygiene are described that are inevitable for the beginning of treatment as well as for the dentures themselves. The marginal periodontium that is in contact with the margin of the crown is generally regarded as an area of minor resistance, therefore particular attention should be given to this point of contact. Construction of removable, partial dentures for partially edentulous jaws is also discussed in detail. Final conclusions show that our knowledge in this specific field has been broadened.