The measurement of forces transmitted to abutment teeth of removable partial dentures

Despite the limited number of patients in the study, the following conclusions may be made regarding the magnitude and direction of forces transmitted to abutment teeth of extension-base removable partial dentures. 1. A technique was presented for using strain gauges to determine the magnitude and direction of forces transmitted to abutment teeth of removable partial dentures. 2. There are variations in force magnitude with a patient and between patients from chewing cycle to chewing cycle. 3. The transmitted forces vary when different removable partial denture designs are used. 4. Improving adaptation of the extension bases to the residual ridge is an excellent means for providing maximum support, increasing patient comfort, and decreasing forces to abutment teeth. 5. Extension bases apply mesially directed forces to abutment teeth during mastication. 6. Further research is needed to elucidate the effects of the various philosophies of removable partial denture design.