Mandibular implant-supported removable partial denture with distal extension: a systematic review.

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Prosthodontics
• Oral Rehabilitation

Background:

• Mandibular Kennedy class I and II cases present unique challenges for removable partial denture (RPD) rehabilitation.
• Implant-supported RPDs offer a potential solution for restoring function and aesthetics in free-end mandibular arches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review patient satisfaction, implant survival rates, and prosthetic complications associated with implant-supported RPDs in mandibular Kennedy class I and II cases.
• To evaluate the clinical outcomes of this treatment modality for free-end mandibular ridges.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature review was conducted by three independent reviewers.
• Searches included Medline and Cochrane Library databases, with hand searching, for articles published between January 1981 and September 2011.
• Five studies were included from 1751 initial records, assessing clinical outcomes for mandibular implant-supported RPDs with distal extension.

Main Results:

• Implant survival rates ranged from 95% to 100%, with a single failure reported among 98 implants.
• Complications included relining, framework damage, screw loosening, and acrylic denture base issues.
• Patient satisfaction scores were high, ranging from 4.12 to 5.0 on a five-point scale.

Conclusions:

• Implant-supported RPDs in the mandible demonstrate high implant survival and improved patient satisfaction.
• Prosthetic complications and maintenance are common, requiring repair.
• Further well-designed clinical trials with larger sample sizes are needed to validate outcomes.