Use of dental implants to improve unfavorable removable partial denture design

This study aimed to determine whether the use of a limited number of dental implants, with no rigid connection between implants and teeth and as few as possible prosthetic element requirements, is a viable solution for improving unfavorable removable partial dentures (RPD) design. Fifteen partially edentulous patients with an unfavorable number and distribution of abutment teeth were treated, each with a limited number of implants, from 1997 to 2004, resulting in an improved RPD design. Implant survival rate was 100%, and prosthetic complications were minor. All patients reported great satisfaction with the partial dentures and good chewing efficiency. The results indicate that the use of dental implants to improve unfavorable RPD design is a viable and cost-effective treatment modality.