[Effect of partial dentures on the residual dentition and the periodontium]

The data of 969 dental arches replaced by partial denture, and 1282 dental arches of the same edentulousness but unreplaced, examined in an unselected population, have been analyzed from the point of view of the occurrence frequency of the gingivitis, the pocket, the movability and the caries. It has been stated that the effect of the prosthesis of the remaining teeth may be evaluated only by comparison with a suitable control group with no dentures. Furthermore, it has been stated that the remaining teeth are not damaged by well planned partial dentures (with metal base plates) while the wrongly planned dentures (with plastic base plates) develop a significant damaging effect.