Use of distal implants to support and increase retention of a removable partial denture: a case report

Lack of adequate support (tooth/soft tissue) results in displacement of bilateral and unilateral distal extension removable partial dentures. Placement of implants is one option for managing this problem. The aim of this report is to describe fabrication of a mandibular removable partial denture supported by 2 unilateral distal implants with locater attachments. The patient was a 70-year-old man who was missing the right mandibular premolars and molars. After an uneventful 3-month healing period, the locater abutments were tightened on the implants. At a recall appointment 18 months later, neither of the implants had been lost, but some marginal bone loss (mean 0.3 mm, standard deviation 0.1 mm) was noted. The patient reported no displacement of the distal extension removable partial denture. This case report suggests that distal implants may help to prevent displacement of distal extension removable partial dentures, and may be especially suitable for patients who cannot afford implant-supported fixed dental prostheses.