Cantilever bridges or removable partial dentures in geriatric patients: a two-year study

Area of Science:

• Dental Prosthodontics
• Geriatric Dentistry

Background:

• Elderly patients with reduced dentition often require prosthetic solutions.
• Removable partial dentures (RPDs) are a common treatment, but can present challenges.
• Distally extending cantilever bridges offer an alternative for mandibular rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare prosthetic, functional, and occlusal conditions.
• Evaluate outcomes in patients treated with distally extending cantilever bridges versus RPDs.
• Assess treatment efficacy in elderly patients with a complete upper denture.

Main Methods:

• A 2-year comparative study involving 27 patients with cantilever bridges and 26 with RPDs.
• All patients received supervised oral hygiene care.
• Evaluated mandibular teeth remaining, posterior teeth in occlusion, and signs/symptoms of dysfunction.

Main Results:

• The RPD group showed significantly aggravated signs and symptoms of mandibular dysfunction (P<0.05).
• Balanced occlusion was achieved in 90% of the bridge group versus 76% of the RPD group.
• The bridge group required negligible additional treatment, while the RPD group needed caries treatment and major adjustments.

Conclusions:

• Distally extending cantilever bridges are a favorable alternative to RPDs in elderly patients with reduced mandibular dentition.
• Cantilever bridges provided superior functional and occlusal stability.
• RPDs were associated with increased complications and need for further treatment.