Periodontal findings in patients 10 years after insertion of removable partial dentures

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the changes in the periodontal conditions of patients wearing different designs of removable partial dentures over long-term. Seventy-four patients treated with 101 mainly conical crown-retained dentures (CCRDs) or clasp-retained removable partial dentures (RPDs) or a combination of conical crown and clasp-retained dentures (CRPDs) were re-examined 10 years after insertion. Periodontal findings were compared with baseline values at insertion. A deterioration of the probing depths (PDs) and tooth mobility was found. The abutment teeth of the RPDs suffered more severe deterioration than the abutment teeth of the CCRDs and the CRPDs. The absence of a regular recall system for the patients may be responsible for this outcome.